Why May Sunshine Capped UK Footfall Data

The British Retail Consortium reported that total UK footfall fell 2.6% year over year in May. The culprit was not weak consumer demand or a sudden shift to online-only shopping. The culprit was the record sunshine that kept people outdoors and away from covered retail centers.

The Simple Read: Weather Trumps Retail Calendars

A sunny bank holiday weekend is normally a boost for footfall. Shoppers go out, spend time in town centers, and visit stores. May 2024 broke that pattern. The UK recorded its sunniest May on record. The BRC data showed that footfall fell 2.6% YoY, reversing the trend from the same period last year.

The BRC specifically attributed the decline to