Retail footfall across the UK decreased by 2.8 per cent in January compared to the same period of last year, according to new figures.

Despite data from The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic IQ showing a decline in comparison to 2023, it still showed an improvement on December of last year, when footfall was down by five per cent.

“Footfall remained on a downward trajectory in January, albeit at a slower rate than in December," said Helen Dickinson, chief executive, BRC. "Many consumers appear particularly bargain-focused, with the first half of the month boosted by the January sales.

"However, the latter part of January saw fewer shoppers out as stormy weather led to a bigger footfall decline in Shopping Centres and High Streets."

Over the four-week period, the number of shoppers heading out to UK High Streets dropped by 2.3 per cent when compared to January 2023, but was up on the 4.2 per cent decline in footfall recorded during December.

Retail Park footfall was also down by 1.8 per cent compared to the previous year, but up from a decline of 4.8 per cent in the previous month.

Shopping centre footfall took the biggest hit of all retail formats, decreasing by five per cent in January. However, there was still an improvement on the 7.4 per cent decline in footfall recorded in December 2023.

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