Footfall in Scotland increased by 0.4% in May (YoY), up from -5.2% in April, according to the latest Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC)-Sensormatic data.
Edinburgh recorded a 2.5% increase, while Glasgow saw a 0.6% decline.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head of the SRC, said:
“Scottish retail footfall just about stayed positive as the warm weather outweighed consumer concerns about the economy. Footfall overall was up by 0.4 per cent, the best figures in the UK, as Scots enjoyed the eventual arrival of the sunshine.
“Edinburgh continues to perform well, partly driven by strong visitor numbers, to be the best performing city in the country. Glasgow saw slightly reduced footfall but still outperformed much of the rest of the UK. Shopping centres and retail parks both saw rises in footfall, indicative that these were popular on the Bank Holidays.
“Whilst the figures might look sunny there remain significant clouds on the horizon. Consumer confidence remains depressed as a result of the costs accruing from the international instability. The new Scottish Government will need to tread carefully with their policy interventions if they don’t wish to exacerbate those concerns – especially as inflation is likely to rise in the coming months.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, added:
“May marked a modest but welcome improvement for Scottish retail, with footfall rising 0.4% year-on-year, outperforming the wider UK and signalling a degree of resilience following a difficult April. Consumer confidence may be edging up slightly, but it remains fragile, with geopolitical uncertainty continuing to weigh on discretionary spend.
“While May’s growth is modest, it suggests Scotland is holding firmer ground rather than seeing a full retreat from physical retail. For retailers, the challenge and the opportunity lie in building on this resilience, converting purposeful visits into meaningful spend by delivering the right mix of value, relevance and experience as we head into the summer months.”
