Retail footfall across the United Kingdom saw a notable resurgence in April 2025, with shopper numbers rising 7.2% year-on-year, according to new data released today by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic IQ. The strong April performance was significantly influenced by the timing of Easter, which fell in April this year, as well as unseasonably sunny weather.
April's jump in footfall came after a dip of -5.4% in March, reflecting the impact of the calendar shift. To provide a clearer picture, the BRC also released combined data for March and April, which showed that total footfall increased by 0.2% compared to the same period in 2024.
All retail locations recorded year-on-year growth in April:
- High Streets: +5.3%
- Retail Parks: +7.5%
- Shopping Centres: +5.6%
Growth was consistent across all nations:
- England: +6.7%
- Scotland: +6.9%
- Wales: +13.6%
- Northern Ireland: +14.3%
Commenting on the figures, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:
'A late Easter and some welcome rays of sunshine encouraged shoppers to head out to their local shopping destinations in April. Adjusting for the late fall of Easter this year, footfall across March and April showed a small but positive trend, with retail parks continuing to perform the strongest out of all locations. This reflected the unseasonally warm and bright weather right across the UK. In England, the North East saw particularly strong growth in footfall, with Manchester and Liverpool both recording double-digit improvements in footfall. Retailers will be hoping this momentum continues into the summer months.'
However, Dickinson also issued a warning about the impact of planned business rates reform:
'The Labour Party pledged to revitalise high streets across the country, however, current proposals to reform the business rate system will lead to higher bills for many anchor stores on our high streets. These businesses drive footfall to key shopping areas and to the many smaller retailers, cafés and other businesses that reside there. If the government wishes to see thriving town and city centres, it must ensure no shop pays more as a result of business rates reform, thereby enabling retailers' ability to invest in their local communities.'
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA at Sensormatic, added:
'April brought a welcome rebound in footfall, with shopper numbers rising +7.2% year-on-year across all retail destinations. The combination of Easter trading and the sunniest April on record helped entice consumers back into stores. High Streets and Shopping Centres both saw solid gains of +5.3% and 5.6% respectively. Retail Parks continued to outperform at 7.5%, reinforcing their role as a resilient format.'
'Looking at March and April together however, the overall picture for the UK is more balanced, with footfall across the two months up just +0.2% year-on-year. While this suggests that April's gains largely offset March's dip, it also highlights the importance of sustained engagement beyond seasonal peaks. Retailers will now be looking to build on this momentum as we move into the summer months.'
More information:
British Retail Consortium (BRC)
[email protected]
www.brc.org.uk