Shopper numbers: retail footfall year-on-year change (monthly) in the UK 2017-2019

Retail footfall is one of the casualties of the growing e-commerce industry and the toll on the UK high street is visible more and more frequently. As shown in this statistic, the declining visitor numbers to retail and shopping centers help understand the apprehension around traditional retail. Throughout 2018, footfall persistently decreased and the percentage change confimed this even during the holiday season.

Store closures in retail centers

One of the negative outcomes of the falling visitor numbers to retail centers is store closures. In 2017, high streets and shopping centers together were the leading locations which experienced a drop in store numbers across Great Britain.

Is there hope for offline retail?

In the past few years, growth in the retail industry happened more online than in traditional retail formats. Yet forecasts anticipate growth for offline retail shopping locations, whereas a standstill is in sight for online sales.