The latest figures from NIRC-Sensormatic show that footfall across Northern Ireland decreased by 3.0% in July (year-on-year), up from -5.2% in June, while shopping centre footfall decreased by 4.1% in July (year-on-year), up from -6.0% in June.

While July was better than June for visits, there was little comfort for retailers as July was still disappointing, according to Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium Neil Johnston.

“The figures across England, Scotland and Wales are far from encouraging either, however the Northern Ireland situation is the least upbeat,” said Neil.

“Shoppers and retailers are currently experiencing economic challenges. Retailers face increased statutory costs emanating from the last UK Budget, while consumers appear to be reducing shopping activity in response to negative economic news.

“The role of Stormont remains vital in all of this, and it is imperative that the Executive considers how it turns talk about economic regeneration of our high streets and other retail hubs into reality in the coming months.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions added that the early July heatwave may have lifted leisure footfall more than retail.

“One year into a new Labour government, consumer sentiment remains cautious,” said Andy.

“The underlying footfall trend may be improving, but this is still negative growth on negative 2024 figures – raising the question: are shoppers returning, or simply shopping around more as they try to spend less?

“Either way, retailers who can offer value, experience, and convenience may be best placed to convert tentative footfall into lasting growth.”

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The June figure is down from -1.4% in May. Meanwhile, footfall in Belfast decreased by 5.3% (year-on-year) in the same five-week period from 1^st June to 5^th July, down from -1.6% in May, while shopping centre footfall decreased by 6.0% in June, down from -1.6% in May, the figures from NIRC-Sensormatic reveal.

Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Neil Johnston said it was concerning that footfall figures continue to fall on a monthly basis.

“The UK figure for June is 1.8% less than June last year, while in Northern Ireland the figure is down 5.2%,” said Neil Johnston.

“The new government entered office a year ago and made much of its intention to revive the High Street. To date we have seen very little to make that desire a reality. Indeed, the impact of the National Insurance hikes introduced in April this year clearly is still having a negative impact on retailers and the wider economy.

“In London the government is at least holding out the prospect of business rates reform to help the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. In NI, retailing carries a heavy burden in terms of rates while other sectors receive considerable relief. There is room for Stormont to do more to help,” he added.

“Retailers in Northern Ireland are also facing the continuing burdens of the Windsor Framework. The requirements of the Framework in the form of ‘Not for EU’ labelling enter the third, most complex phase, in July. This is a significant challenge for retailers.

“Retailers have to date ensured that the bureaucracy of the Framework has not impacted on the broad range of choice and value for money available to consumers in Northern Ireland.

“We continue to look to the government to ensure that the internal market for retail products in the UK is protected. With UK government help and a proportionate approach by the EU we hope to be able to continue to serve the consumers of Northern Ireland in the way we have in the past.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions said: “June delivered heatwaves, storms, and what could be the hottest June on record – but even the sunshine wasn’t enough to spark a retail revival.

“Total UK footfall was down -1.8% year-on-year, a gentler drop than the -2.3% seen in June 2024, but still a decline on last year’s decline. Northern Ireland saw a steeper decline of -5.1%, reflecting the broader regional challenges. UK High Streets fell -3.0%, while Retail Parks and Shopping Centres dipped -1.1% and -1.6% respectively.

“One year on from the general election, with footfall still in the red, it appears that consumer confidence has yet to find its feet. That said, the rate of decline at a UK level is easing, and with summer now in full swing, retailers have an opportunity to turn seasonal footfall into sustained momentum—especially those who can deliver value, experience, and convenience in equal measure.”

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Covering the four weeks from 30^th October to 26^th November, Northern Ireland saw a -7% footfall decline. This was followed by Scotland at -15% and England at -15.4%, while Wales saw the steepest decline at -16.2%.

On a year-on-year basis total footfall increased by 3.7%; high streets by 8.0% and shopping centres by 7.0%. However, retail parks decreased by 4.0%.

As the cost of living continues to rise, consumers are reconsidering their spending habits and continuing to be cautious, which inevitably has an impact on footfall.

Total UK footfall decreased by 13.3% in November (Yo3Y), 1.5 percentage points worse than October. This is worse than the three-month average decline of 11.5%.

High streets footfall declined by 13.6% in November (Yo3Y), 2.0 percentage points worse than last month’s rate, and worse than the three-month average decline of 12.3%.

Retail parks saw footfall decrease by 4.2% (Yo3Y), 0.5 percentage points worse than last month’s rate and worse than the three-month average decline of 2.7%.

Shopping centre footfall declined by 23.2% (Yo3Y), 1.4 percentage points worse than last month’s rate and worse than the three-month average decline of 22.6%.

‘With three more weeks to Christmas, retailers hope that the festive spirit may still give a welcome boost to both footfall and retail sales’

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Footfall took another stumble as the cost-of-living crisis put off some consumers from visiting the shops in November. Others opted to stay home due to the scattering of rail strikes or chose the World Cup over shopping visits.

“Rising inflation and low consumer confidence continue to dampen spending expectations in the run up to Christmas. Despite retailers doing their best to keep prices as low as possible for their customers, financial concerns are trumping spending for many households. But, with three more weeks to Christmas, retailers hope that the festive spirit may still give a welcome boost to both footfall and retail sales.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: “As retailers readied themselves for the start of peak trading ‘proper’, November brought a slew of disruption and opportunity, almost in equal measure.

“While train strikes did spell disruption to many, concerns that the untested format of a ‘Christmas World Cup’ could take the shine off retailers’ Black Friday efforts proved unfounded, with the results in-store bettering the results on the field for England and Wales.

“With footfall on Black Friday surpassing 2021 levels, retailers will be hoping this signposts a resilience in consumer demand, even in the context of the rising cost-of-living, as they head into the critical December Christmas trading period,” he added.

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The festive initiative runs from 26 September – 18 December, promising huge value deals on high demand products, including one week of double deals. Retailers taking part can be promised a significant spike in sales throughout the three months, with data from 2021 showing a 20% growth in sales from the previous year.

12 Deals of Christmas has become Henderson Wholesale’s flagship footfall and sales driving initiative for its stores, which sees the wholesaler invest around £1.7M to provide the cut price deals for retailers to offer shoppers.

Since its inception in 2016, retail sales have experienced growth of over 67% after generating over £5.9M sales in 2021.

The campaign takes on added significance this year as millions of households across Northern Ireland are feeling the effects of rising household costs, as the cost of living crisis continues to take a grip on the country.

Sara Murphy, Marketing Manager at Henderson Group says this was ever present when creating the campaign for 2022: “We have retailers in every city, town, village and community across Northern Ireland, whose shoppers rely on them to be trusted and provide value where they possibly can.

“This year we launched Mega Deals, where shoppers can take advantage of a vastly cut price, high demand product each week, which our research shows is helping shoppers with their essential shops through the week.

“Christmas is weighing heavily on consumers’ shoulders this year, so we are conscious that our deals will have quite an expectation to help towards that long shopping list for the festive season. 12 Deals comprises a total of 13 products across 12 weeks that can not only be stored away for Christmas but will also be useful for any day use in the run-up when budgeting is even tighter.”

Shoppers agree, with over 80% stating SPAR’s 12 Deals of Christmas campaign offers were better than supermarket prices*, with 71% saying the campaign would make them want to shop at SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores more often*.

Sara continued: “The direct feedback from shoppers, alongside the sharp sales growth over the past six years, shows this is a campaign that resonates and delivers for retailers. There is a deal for everyone, and the anticipation for the 2022 deals is great. We’re excited for them to land in stores in the run up to Christmas.”

Retailers will also benefit from a fully integrated marketing campaign, marking an investment of over £525,000 alone. TV ads will feature families who have gotten carried away with the deals, unable to resist a bargain, while adshels and 48-sheets will complement radio and social media activity, engaging with some of Northern Ireland’s most well-known faces.

Week one of 12 Deals of Christmas kicks off Monday 26^th September, with 10 and 12 packs of Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Fanta and Fanta Zero less than half price at £3.25. For more, visit spar-ni.co.uk.

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However, retailers remained fearful that trading in the lead-up to Christmas will be severely impacted by rising inflation.

They have called for the incoming Prime Minister to immediately outline what packages of support will be offered to consumers the ease the burden on household budgets.

Data from the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) and Sensormatic IQ covering the four weeks from July 31 to August 27 show that overall footfall in the region decreased by 11.5 per cent compared to the same period three years ago, which was 0.8 percentage points better than July. It is better than the UK average decline of 12.4 per cent.

Shopping centre footfall declined by 13.2 per cent in August (Yo3Y) in the north, a weakening on the decline of 9 per cent in July, and in Belfast city, it decreased by 13.1 per cent – 0.3 percentage points worse than July.

David Lonsdale from the British Retail Consortium said: “August saw a slightly more upbeat set of figures for visits to stores in Northern Ireland and the best performance for four months, with concerns about rising household bills not enough to keep shoppers away.

“Buoyed by the return of holidaying, social occasions and tourism, the modest improvement in shopper footfall wasn’t felt across all retail destinations as shopping centres and Belfast city centre struggled.

“Despite the overall improvement, visits to stores remain well down on pre-pandemic levels. That’s worrying given inflationary headwinds and the likely impact on consumer sentiment and spending power, more so in the lead up to what is traditionally the crucial golden trading quarter for the industry in the final months of the year.”

He added: “Next week will see the election of the new Prime Minister. Early action is needed to protect living standards and assist retailers to keep down shop prices. After all, much of our wider economy is ultimately dependent on what happens to consumer spending.”

Andy Sumpter from Sensormatic Solutions added: “Despite the heatwave cooling shopper numbers for periods during the month, August footfall on the whole remained resilient with performance improving against pre-pandemic levels compared to July, boosted in part by August staycations and rising tourist numbers returning.

“But while the outlook for August remained cheery, retailers will be looking ahead to the autumn – and retail’s golden quarter of Christmas trading – with an air of caution as the cost-of-living crisis continues to play out, and they await to see what packages of support will be offered to consumers the ease the burden on household budgets once the new PM is announced next week.”

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