Scotland 'best of a weak bunch' for retail footfall

Scottish retail footfall increased by 0.2% year-on-year in June, up from -5.4% in May - significantly higher than the UK average decrease of 2.3%.

The latest Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and Sensormatic IQ data also showed that shopping centre footfall rose by 1.2% year-on-year in June - three percentage points better than May.

In June, footfall in Edinburgh increased by 2.4%, while Glasgow's footfall also increased by 2.2%.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the SRC, said that a welcome combination of concerts, events and the European Championship football offset the cool weather.

“Despite this stronger performance high streets remain in a parlous condition,“ he commented.

“As we move into the summer holidays retailers will be hoping for a sustained improvement in footfall to help offset the previous difficult months.

“They’ll also be hoping that the end of the General Election will mean the new UK Government can work with the Scottish Government and local authorities to prioritise economic growth.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant for Sensormatic Solutions, added: “With the rain finally giving way to drier and sunnier weather, this along with events including the start of the Euros and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour helped to deliver an ambient boost to shopper traffic, pushing Scottish footfall to its highest recovery since September 2023.

“Retailers will be hoping that major sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, provide positive opportunities to entice shoppers into store.”

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