Welsh retailers report a fall in shopping numbers

Foofall levels in August were down on a year earlier shows new research from the Welsh Retail Consortium

Retailers in Wales experienced a fall in shoppers in August with the Welsh Government being urged to provide targeted support for the hard-pressed sector.

Latest research from the Welsh Retail Consortium show that footfall on the high street, shopping centres and retail parks, was down 1.3% compare to August 2025. In July it was flat on a year earlier.

In England there was a year-on-year fall of 2.1% and in Scotland a decline of 0.1%. Northern Ireland experienced a 2.8% rise. The only other rises in the nations and regions of the UK were in the east of England, up 1.9%, and the west Midlands, 0.7% The biggest decline, 4.9%, was seen in London.

In August footfall, defined as someone entering a shop, at Welsh shopping centres decreased by 1.7% and in retail parks by 0.3%.

Footfall in Cardiff decreased by 1.9%.

Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, Sara Jones, said: “The heat may have stayed, but Welsh footfall cooled. August’s 1.3% fall shows that good weather alone is not enough to bring shoppers back when confidence remains under pressure. While this is a much softer decline than some of the sharper drops seen earlier in 2026, it shows that consumer confidence remains fragile.

“After a flat July, August’s return to negative territory is a reminder that good weather alone is not enough to bring people back into our town and city centres – retailers still need sustained support to drive footfall, boost spending and help Welsh high streets thrive.

“With members returning to the Senedd this month and the new town centres task force (set up by the Welsh Government and chaired by Simon Gibson) now in place, this must be a moment for action, not delay.

“Welsh high streets need practical support that tackles the pressures retailers face every day – from business rates and parking to public transport, safety, vacant units and investment in town centre regeneration. The task force must listen to businesses and deliver at pace, with clear commitments that help rebuild confidence, boost footfall and give retailers the conditions to invest and grow.”

Andy Sumpter, head of consulting and analytics for Europe at Sensormatic, which carried out the research for the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: “August saw Welsh retail footfall remain under pressure, with total visits down -1.3% year-on-year. While still in negative territory, this was a stronger performance than the wider UK, highlighting a degree of resilience despite the challenges facing retail.

“Above-average temperatures may have continued to influence shopper behaviour, although conditions were less extreme than July’s record-breaking heat. While all retail destinations remained negative, Retail parks proved the most resilient at -0.3%, while retailers within Shopping Centres fell -1.7%, suggesting consumers remained selective about where and how they shopped.

“With the crucial golden quarter fast approaching, retailers will take some encouragement from Wales’ performance. However, with inflation now at a two-year high and household budgets remaining under pressure, the focus remains on converting footfall into meaningful spend during the industry’s most important trading period.”