Total UK retail footfall decreased by 3.9% during the RMT Union Rail Strikes week (20-26 June), compared with the average of the previous four weeks, according to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data.
The data reveals that Thursday was the worst-performing day, with a 13.7% decline in footfall, followed by Tuesday at 9.4%, compared with the average of the previous four weeks.
High Streets saw the weakest performance at a 3.3% decline, compared with the average of the previous four weeks.
London saw footfall decrease by 1.4% over the strike week, compared with the average for the average of the previous four weeks. London footfall on Tuesday decreased by 7.4%, compared to the average for the average of the previous four weeks, impacted by both rail and tube strikes.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of British Retail Consortium, said: “Retail footfall recovery slowed last week as rail strikes disrupted journeys across the UK. As expected, commuter traffic was hit with many working from home to avoid unnecessary travel, impacting already-vulnerable city centre businesses reliant on those commuters.
“Whilst we hope footfall will bounce back in the following weeks and months, it comes at a difficult time for businesses as costs are continuing to spiral and consumers are tightening their belts. Retailers continue to do all they can to help consumers and keep prices down, expanding their value ranges, offering discounts for some vulnerable groups, and investing in their own supply chains to reduce future costs.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, added: “After the buoyant boost to shopper numbers we saw over the Jubilee weekend, last week’s train strikes threaten to derail retail’s footfall recovery. While consumers stayed home and avoided unnecessary trips due to travel disruption, retailers will be hoping that the dip in footfall will be short-lived and that shopper numbers even themselves out, as pent-up demand prompts consumers back on to the High Street once the strike ends.”
