Dip in Northern Ireland footfall prompts plea for high streets action

A concerted effort is needed to bring energy back to Northern Ireland’s towns and high streets, a top retail trade organisation has said.

Footfall across the region decreased by 14.3% in April (year-on-year), down from 4.9% in March, while shopping centre footfall also decreased, by 12.8% in April (year-on-year), down from 8.1% in March.

Last month, footfall in Belfast decreased by 15.4% in April (year-on-year), down from 7.5% in March.

A significant cause for the drop is the fact that Easter fell in March, while it was in April last year, resulting in a distortion in the year-on-year footfall comparison and an artificially higher March, but lower April footfall.

Taking March and April together and comparing with the same two months in 2025, to cancel out any impact of Easter, Northern Ireland’s footfall decreased by 4.4%.

However, this will come as little solace for retailers who continue to feel the impact of decline, said the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium.
“Visits to Northern Ireland’s stores went into reverse last month after a creditable performance in March. Whilst a drop was expected that will have been of little consolation to shopkeepers given the extent of the decline which was felt across all destinations,” said Neil Johnston, NIRC Director.

“This comes at a tricky time for NI’s retailers who have seen employment costs spike and a further rise in the business rate, all whilst absorbing additional outlays on fuel and shipping due to the conflict in the Middle East. The conflict is also sapping consumer confidence at a time when household budgets have been strained by rising domestic bills.

“There is a real need for our devolved government to bring fresh energy to reinvigorating Northern Ireland’s high streets and retail destinations. Central to this should be a concerted effort to bring energy and footfall back to our towns and larger conurbations along with a plan to make them cost-effective locations for retailers of all sizes to invest in. This should begin with lowering the business rate for retail and hospitality businesses as has been introduced in Scotland and England.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions added: “April delivered a stark reminder of how fragile the recovery in retail footfall remains in Northern Ireland. Total retail visits fell -14.3% year-on-year, the weakest performance in over five years and the sharpest decline of the devolved nations.

“While disappointing, the scale of the fall needs to be viewed in context. Easter landed earlier this year, drawing a significant volume of activity into March and leaving April with a much tougher comparison.

“Even when looked at together, the picture remains challenging. Combined, March and April footfall was down -4.4%, underlining the pressure facing retailers. With consumer confidence falling and cost-of-living pressures persisting, shoppers are becoming more selective – making fewer trips, but with clearer intent when they do. In a month where even a ‘good’ result would likely have remained negative, it’s difficult not to be disappointed.

“That said, opportunity remains. Those who are out and about are often there to spend, making every shopper more valuable. As visits become more purposeful, retailers will need to make every interaction count – delivering value, relevance and compelling reasons for shoppers to return.”