Wales has experienced the largest increase in shoppers across the UK, according to a report by the Welsh Retail Consortium (WRC). The latest figures reveal a 5.4% rise in retail footfall in Wales in September, outstripping increases in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. This growth signals a positive trend for Welsh retailers, especially following a 1.8% decline in August.
While shopping centres in Wales still saw a decrease in footfall at -1.6%, an improvement from August’s -5.2%, other retail locations, particularly the high street and retail parks, saw significant growth. Cardiff recorded the third-highest year-on-year increase among UK core cities at 3.9%, showcasing a positive performance compared to the previous month.
Sara Jones, the head of the WRC, highlighted the importance of the uptick in footfall for Welsh retailers as they approach the crucial Christmas shopping season. She emphasised the need for government support, particularly in areas such as business rates and regulatory pressures, to sustain the growth momentum seen in September.
Andy Sumpter, a retail consultant at Sensormatic Solutions, noted the overall improvement in footfall across the UK, with a focus on the positive impact of back-to-school shopping. While retailers welcome this boost, there is still an air of caution as they navigate the remainder of the year, aiming to maintain and build on the current growth trends.
As the retail industry – Wales’ largest private sector employer – looks towards the upcoming festive season, industry experts are optimistic that the positive performance seen in September can be sustained with the right government policies and consumer confidence. The focus now shifts to the critical months ahead, where the success of Wales’ retail sector will be pivotal for its economic recovery.