High street footfall rises by 0.9% in June

High street footfall increased by 0.9% in June on the previous year as retailers benefited from the arrival of summer, according to the latest BRC-Springboard footfall monitor.

The rise in high street footfall compares with a -3.7% decline in June 2016 and is five basis points above the three-month average of 0.4%.

Footfall in retail park locations grew by 2.3% in June, compared to a 1.0% decrease in June 2016.

But British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson warned that continued footfall growth would be difficult to sustain, and urged the government to commit to business rates reform.

“Amidst economic uncertainty and mounting concern over the inflationary squeeze on household incomes, sustaining growth in shopper footfall will be challenging, more so as retailers seek to convert that into an improved performance at tills,” she said.

“And while they step up their efforts to keep prices down for their customers against rising input prices and inflation, the government can help alleviate the cost pressures in the immediate term by sticking to their commitment on business rates reform to deliver a system fit for purpose in the 21st century.”