Scottish footfall decreased by 19.9% in September, compared with the same month pre-pandemic, although this was a 1.3% increase from August.
This was below the UK average decline of 16.8% last month, compared to 2019, according to the latest Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and Sensormatic IQ data.
Scottish shopping centre footfall declined by 30% in September, down from a 29% drop in August.
Meanwhile, footfall in Glasgow decreased by 20.8% compared to 2019, a 0.5 percentage point decrease from August.
SRC director David Lonsdale noted that September saw a third consecutive monthly improvement for shopper footfall, as customers continued to gradually return to Scotland’s high streets.
“That said, retailers will be disappointed to see figures continuing to languish a fifth down on pre-pandemic levels, with Scotland once again the weakest part of the UK outwith London.
“This sustained weakness is especially unnerving coming as it does ahead of the crucial festive trading period, when many shops have to generate the revenues which will tide them over the learner winter months.”
Total footfall by region (% change with 2019)
GROWTH RANK |
REGION |
% GROWTH Yo2Y |
1 |
North West England |
-11.1% |
2 |
South West England |
-11.2% |
3 |
Yorkshire and the Humber |
-12.1% |
4 |
East Midlands |
-13.3% |
5 |
West Midlands |
-13.4% |
6 |
North East England |
-13.9% |
7 |
East of England |
-15.0% |
8 |
Wales |
-16.2% |
9 |
South East England |
-16.5% |
10 |
Northern Ireland |
-16.7% |
11 |
England |
-16.7% |
12 |
Scotland |
-19.9% |
13 |
London |
-26.3% |
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant at Sensormatic Solutions, commented: “September represented the highest recovery point compared to pre-pandemic levels yet this year, pointing to a steady, albeit marginal, upward trajectory even in spite of supply chain disruption and petrol shortages at the pumps.
“The UK’s footfall recovery is far from tanking when we look across to our European counterparts – while shopper traffic in the UK is down 17% on pre-pandemic levels, the likes of France and Germany are still seeing footfall down by over a third.
“Looking ahead, retailers will be counting on the 'golden quarter' to capitalise on Christmas trade as the high street’s recovery continues – and with our research showing 79% of consumer will start festive shopping between now and the start of December, October and November will be critical months to encourage shoppers back into store.”
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