August brought footfall boost for Belfast

Footfall in Belfast increased in August by 1.0% (year-on-year), up from -2.9% in July, new figures reveal.

However, the same cannot be said for the rest of Northern Ireland, with a decrease of 1.7% observed last month, up from -3.0% in July. Meanwhile, shopping centre footfall also decreased, by 3.8% (year-on-year), up from -4.1% in July.

The latest figures come from Northern Ireland Retail Consortium-Sensormatic data.

While the modest boost in shopper numbers in Belfast was welcome, Director of the NIRC, Neil Johnston, said it was probably a testament to the raft of new investments by retailers across the city centre in recent times.

“The 1% increase in shopper numbers compared to last year is very welcome,” said Neil.

“Unfortunately, the boost in footfall was not replicated in the rest of Northern Ireland. The number of shoppers was down by 1.7% compared to last August. This June, July and August all saw fewer shoppers than the same months last year. This reflects what has happened across in GB too.”

Observing that the decline in August across the region was markedly less than in the previous two months, Neil said this was encouraging but added retailers will be anxious to see what unfolds in the coming months.

“Retailers’ costs continue to rise – due in no small measure to actions of the government – which has meant that retailers’ margins have been squeezed, and customers have faced the return of inflationary pressures on prices,” said Neil.

“Government, both at Westminster and at Stormont, need to consider the impact of their policies on retail, including on our high streets. The National Insurance and other changes in last year’s budget clearly had a negative impact, most notably on jobs in the retail industry.”

Meanwhile, Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions said that while August delivered the hottest Bank Holiday on record in Northern Ireland, footfall overall cooled off.

“While the sun may have shone, there may be metaphorical storms ahead. Retailers continue to be asked to do more with less, even as the cost of delivering great service rises,” said Andy.

“But shoppers are out there, and they’re shopping around – which means opportunity is on the table. Growth is possible, but it demands boldness: investment, innovation, and a willingness to take calculated risks.

“For many, winning business hinges on service, which requires labour – and labour is more expensive than ever,” added Andy.

“The sector is resilient, but resilience alone won’t reignite momentum. To avoid flatlining becoming a new kind of normal, we need a spark. Whether that comes from innovation, creativity, or external support/investment, one thing’s clear: retail still matters – and it needs the right conditions to thrive.”