In November 2025, total retail footfall across the UK dropped 0.8% year-on-year, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic.
The decline follows a 0.7% slip in October, underscoring persistent caution among consumers as the holiday shopping season begins.
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Footfall on high streets fell by 1.2% in November, reversing the 0.6% rise seen in October. Shopping centre traffic dropped by 1.3%, worsening from October’s –0.9%. Retail parks fared somewhat better but still saw a 0.4% dip.
Multiple pressures: budget uncertainty, weather, Black Friday fatigue
The BRC attributes the weakness in footfall to a mix of consumer sentiment and external factors. As its Chief Executive noted, “Wet weather and the prospect of a tax-rising Budget meant some shoppers held off shopping visits last month.”
Retail analysts emphasised that the turmoil around the government’s Autumn Budget, including rumours of tax increases, undermined confidence.
Adoption of online Black Friday deals may also have diverted customers away from physical stores — and a mid-month bout of poor weather (wrapped up in Storm Claudia) reportedly knocked shopper numbers by as much as 11%.
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By GlobalDataRegional divergence and outlook for the festive season
The decline in footfall was not uniform across the UK. Northern Ireland saw a 2.7% increase year-on-year, while Scotland, Wales and England experienced drops of 0.3%, 0.4% and 1.0% respectively.
As the so-called “Golden Quarter” of retail — encompassing Black Friday and the pre-Christmas period — unfolds, many retailers are stepping up efforts to attract visitors to stores.
But with footfall trending downward, the BRC argues that revitalising high streets and shopping centres will require long-term strategies, possibly including improvements in transport, affordable parking, and local planning reforms.
The November results extend what many in the sector see as a structural challenge for bricks-and-mortar retail.
With consumer caution still high and multiple economic headwinds in play, the coming weeks could prove critical for shaping demand over the key festive trading period.
