In June 2024, retail footfall in the UK experienced a mixed performance influenced by cultural events and weather conditions. One such example, is the impact of Taylor Swift's Eras tour and the Euro 2024 championship on the economy.
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The influence of events like Taylor Swift's Eras tour and the start of the Euro 2024 championship played a significant role in boosting footfall. Despite overall decreases, cities like Edinburgh and Liverpool experienced increased visitor numbers due to Taylor Swift's performances, demonstrating the positive impact of cultural events on retail footfall recovery.
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), total shopper visits across the UK declined by 2.3% from the previous year, an improvement from May's 3.6% drop. The High Street saw a decline of 3.1% compared to 2.7% in May, while Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 3.2%, an improvement from May's 4.5% decline. Retail Parks showed the smallest decline at 0.4%, compared to 2.3% in May.
Scotland saw a slight increase of 0.2% in footfall, while Wales recorded the largest decline at 4.1%, reflecting regional variations in consumer behavior. BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson noted that although June did not match the footfall levels of the previous year's heatwave period, there were improvements compared to the previous month's downturn, particularly in retail parks and shopping centres.
Source: www.retailgazette.co.uk