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Economy
Jun 05, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

UK High Street Footfall Rebounds in May Amid Warm Weather and Rising Consumer Confidence

AI Summary
UK high streets saw a May rebound in footfall and sales as spring sunshine lifted consumer confidence, but overall visits remain below last year and economic challenges persist. Analysts warn that while seasonal events may provide a short‑term lift, rising energy costs and geopolitical tensions could keep retailers on edge.

Spring Sunshine Sparks May Footfall Bounce‑Back

May saw a noticeable rise in UK high‑street visits as sunny weather provided a brief respite from the economic strain caused by the US‑Israel war on Iran. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and accountancy firm BDO both reported a reversal of the sharp footfall decline recorded in April.

Retail Sales Edge Up While Overall Footfall Stays Below Last Year

BDO reported that total high‑street sales grew 3.4% compared with May 2025. The BRC noted a 2.6% decline in overall footfall versus May 2025, but highlighted a much steeper 10.7% slump in April.

  • High streets: footfall down 1.7% YoY
  • Shopping centres & retail parks: footfall down 2.4% YoY

Consumer Confidence Climbs to Highest Level Since 2021

A YouGov poll, in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research, showed the confidence index rise 2.6 points to 104.9 in May, the biggest jump in five years. Respondents also reported improved perceptions of household finances and house‑price outlooks (from 128.6 to 130.5).

Mixed Economic Signals Amid Rising Costs

The OECD upgraded its UK growth forecast to 0.9% for 2026, up from 0.7% in March, but unemployment has unexpectedly risen to 5% and energy bills are set to climb sharply later in the year.

Future Outlook: Seasonal Boosts Countered by Geopolitical and Energy Risks

Industry leaders such as Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, caution that the late‑May heat wave dampened footfall and that any uplift from events like the World Cup may be offset by ongoing uncertainty from the conflict‑driven energy price surge and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Sophie Michael, head of retail at BDO, warns that higher costs could force consumers to tighten spending, keeping the longer‑term retail outlook “fairly bleak”.