Sunshine and Easter boost UK retail sector - BRC

Warmer weather and the late timing of Easter helped boost retail footfall across the UK last month, industry data showed on Friday.

According to the latest BRC-Sensormatic footfall monitor, total UK footfall across both March and April edged up 0.2% year-on-year.

Within that, the high street showed a modest 0.2% uptick, while footfall at shopping centres decreased by 0.7%.

But retail parks fared better, with footfall sparking 2.7%.

The monitor is normally monthly. However, to adjust for the mis-matched timings of Easter - which fell in late April in 2025 but in late March in 2024 - the most recent monitor has combined March and April.

In April alone, total UK footfall surged 7.2% year-on-year, compared to March’s 5.4% slide, although much of that can be accounted for by the different Easter timings.

High streets reported a 5.3% uplift in footfall in April, and shopping centres a similar 5.6% improvement. Once again, however, retail parks were the best performing sector, with footfall up 7.5%.

The British Retail Consortium said retailers had benefited from shoppers looking to stock up on Easter treats as well as warm, dry weather. According to the Met Office, April was the sunniest on record in the UK.

Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said: "Adjusting for the late fall of Easter this year, footfall across March and April showed a small but positive trend.

"This reflected unseasonably warm and bright weather right across the UK. Retailers will be hoping this momentum continues into the summer months."

Andy Sumpter, EMEA retail consultant at Sensormatic, said: "April brought a welcome rebound in footfall.

"Looking at March and April together, however, the overall picture for the UK is more balanced.

"While this suggests that April’s gains largely offset March’s dip, it also highlights the importance of sustained engagement beyond seasonal peaks."