The BRC-ShopperTrak Footfall Monitor for July 2020 is now available to download.

Key findings include:

  • UK Footfall decreased by 42.1% in July, with a 20.5 percentage point improvement from June. This remains below the longer-term 12-month average decline of 24.8%.
  • Footfall on High Streets declined by 47.5% year on year. The reopening of pubs and restaurants did not have a significant impact on retail footfall over the course of the month.
  • Retail Parks saw footfall decrease by 22.4% year on year. Wider open spaces, a higher proportion of supermarkets and larger stores quicker to reopen helped to shelter Retail Parks from a steeper decline.

Shopping Centre footfall declined by 48.1% year on year. They were the most negatively affected location, partly due to enclosed spaces making social distancing more of a challenge.

Helen Dickinson OBE, BRC Chief Executive, said: “July was the first full month in which shops were allowed to open in all parts of the UK. While retailers will welcome the improvement in footfall across all shopping destinations, it remains well down on pre-coronavirus levels. The reopening of pubs, cafes and restaurants has also provided some additional footfall to many high streets, including a small boost to local retailers. It remains too soon to say how well retail will recover in the coming months, but it clearly remains a difficult trading period for many physical retailers.

“With retail footfall recovering slower than in many other European countries, much will depend how fast consumer demand returns. Retailers have put in place a variety of measures to keep shoppers and staff safe, from regular cleaning and hand sanitiser, to one-way systems and perspex screens at tills. We now need Government to play their part by providing clear plans for schools, transport, and office working, all of which impact the way we shop. The safety of the public is a top priority and we believe clear communication will help build public confidence and help bolster local high streets and shopping centres during the summer months."

Read the full report

Additional Guidance and Resources: 

COVID-19 Influencer Toolkit

It’s all change: what you need to know about reopening changing rooms

5-step guide to covid-secure opening

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