Footfall in Scotland declined by 5.2% in April (YoY), down from 3.2% in March, according to Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC)-Sensormatic data for the four weeks 05 Apr – 02 May 2026.
Footfall in Edinburgh decreased by 3.8% (YoY), while footfall in Glasgow fell by 6.4% over the same period.
However, SRC-Sensormatic highlighted that Easter is in March’s figures for 2026, while last year it was in April, which distorts the figures. Taking March and April together, compared with the same two months in 2025, and thus cancelling out the distortion, Scottish footfall decreased by 1%.
SRC Director, David Lonsdale, said:
“Visits to Scottish stores went into reverse last month, falling by over 5 per cent. The dip was pronounced due to Easter falling early this year which brought forward foot-traffic to shops. Whilst the drop was expected that will have been of little consolation to shopkeepers. The footfall decline was felt across all destinations albeit Scotland’s performance was the least-worst of all twelve parts of the UK monitored.
“This comes at a tricky time for retailers who have seen employment costs spike whilst absorbing additional outlays on fuel and shipping due to the conflict in the Middle East. The conflict is also sapping consumer confidence at a time when household budgets have been strained by successive near double-digit increases in water bills and council tax.
“Hopefully the next First Minister and devolved government will bring fresh energy to reinvigorating Scotland’s high streets. Our retail destinations can be a springboard to help the economy bounce back. Central to this should be a concerted effort to bring energy and footfall back to our larger conurbations along with a plan to make them cost-effective locations for retailers of all sizes to invest in. This should begin by lowering the business rate and restoring parity for retail and hospitality businesses with their counterparts in England.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said:
“April highlighted the ongoing challenges facing retail footfall, though Scotland continued to outperform the rest of the devolved nations. Total retail visits fell -5.2% year-on-year – still negative, and the weakest result since March last year, but notably less severe than elsewhere in the UK. While disappointing, the scale of the decline needs to be viewed in context. Easter fell earlier this year, pulling some activity into March and leaving April with a much tougher comparison.
“Looked at together, March and April combined were down just -1.0%, the best performance of the devolved nations. Even so, with consumer confidence falling and cost-of-living pressures persisting, it’s clear that shoppers are becoming more selective – making fewer trips, but with clearer intent when they do. In a month where even a ‘good’ result would likely have remained negative, it’s difficult not to be disappointed. That said, opportunity remains. Those who are out and about are often there to spend, making every shopper more valuable. After the country headed to the polls, retailers would do well to remember that shoppers will continue to vote with their feet – and winning their custom will depend on delivering value, relevance and good reasons to return.”
