
The variety of individuals going to retailers has fallen for the second yr in a row, in keeping with a number one knowledge monitor, after the yr ended on a “drab December” for retail.
Footfall dropped 2.2% in 2024, having additionally fallen in 2023, the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) evaluation of Sensormatic’s knowledge discovered.
Consultants stated a mix of price of dwelling pressures, the rise of on-line buying, low shopper confidence and unhealthy climate had been responsible.
Tom Rowley, proprietor of Backstory Bookshop in south London, stated he has been attempting to beat the stoop by providing buyers a drink as a part of their buying “expertise”.
“Folks come right here, choose up a complete pile of books, however then as soon as they’ve executed their Christmas buying, we are able to reward them with a big glass of wine,” he informed the ORIONEWS.
“Sadly, you do not get that by means of on-line buying.”

Tom isn’t the one store proprietor who’s having to get artistic to encourage clients.
Leanne Fridd, proprietor of Bookbugs and Dragon Tales in Norwich, informed ORIONEWS Radio 5Live’s Wake As much as Cash that her bookshop has tried “a Santa’s grotto, and authors, and all kinds of different issues to attempt to entice individuals in”.
Nevertheless, regardless of her greatest efforts, she stated “general spend was down this yr” regardless that footfall was “on par” with final yr.
“We’re actually feeling it on the underside line,” she added.
‘Dino day’ to attract in buyers

For Jenny Fazackerley, proprietor of Jenny Stitches in Barrow, drawing buyers in with occasions is one thing that occurs all yr round.
She and the opposite native corporations within the city’s enterprise enchancment district (BID) have pooled cash to placed on occasions “at each college vacation and at each main occasion” in an effort to enhance footfall.
The BID has hosted a soapbox derby, an autumn competition, and a “dino day”, the place actors gown up as dinosaurs and stroll across the city to entertain youngsters.
The city was additionally the ultimate vacation spot of a motorbike trip in honour of Bushy Biker and native Dave Myers, who died in February final yr.
The occasion attracted 1000’s of individuals to Barrow and a second ‘Dave Day’ bike trip is deliberate once more for this yr
Jenny stated footfall has been good in 2024 on account of all these occasions, however describes it as an “ongoing problem” for the world.
‘A disappointing yr’
Whereas some retailers and cities have fared higher than others, the nationwide image is much less rosy.
The figures for the ultimate three months of 2024, which is normally the time of yr when buyers spend most, had been additionally down on the identical interval final yr by 2.5%.
“A colorless December which noticed fewer buyers in all areas, capped a disappointing yr for UK retail footfall,” stated BRC chief government Helen Dickinson.
The BRC has urged the federal government to cut back enterprise charges, a tax on business buildings, to assist retailers make investments.
Retail specialists pinned the drop on a mix of price of dwelling pressures, the continued rise of on-line buying, and low shopper confidence.
Subsequent week, large retailers will reveal how they’ve fared over the Christmas interval, with Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, and Subsequent all as a result of report after Lidl posted its outcomes on Thursday.
“Individuals are simply being much more cautious about their spending,” stated Catherine Shuttleworth, chief government of Savvy Advertising.
She pinned the shortage of shopper confidence on the federal government for “speaking down the economic system”. She additionally criticised its tax selections, akin to the employer nationwide insurance coverage contribution rise.
A Treasury spokesperson informed the ORIONEWS “a thriving retail sector performs a vital position in rising the economic system and options on the coronary heart of our communities”, including it had launched a 40% enterprise charges aid subsequent yr and can reduce charges “completely” from 2026.
Russ Mould, funding director at AJ Bell, stated issues may enhance for the retail sector within the yr forward if inflation and rates of interest fall whereas the economic system improves.
“You may assemble a extra optimistic narrative for 2025,” he stated.