BRC data shows record warm weather disrupted UK store traffic, with total footfall down 2.6% year over year and a clear improvement from April’s 10.7% drop. High streets fell 1.5%, retail parks 0.5% and shopping centres 2.4%, each far better than the prior month’s readings.
Regionally, Scotland edged up 0.4% while Northern Ireland fell 1%, England 3% and Wales 5%. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said the early warm spell drew people out, but record late-month heat drove a sharp fall, hitting centres and retail parks hardest while high streets gained as people visited nearby shops. She warned households still fear inflation and energy non-commodity charges, urging government action to rebuild confidence across the retail sector.
Why it matters for the pet industry
Pet specialty and garden-centre pet aisles in the UK should read this as a high-street opportunity: while malls softened, town-centre footfall held, favouring local pet shops and veterinary clinics that draw neighbourhood traffic. The heat-driven dip also signals a summer pattern, so pet retailers should shift promotions to early-morning and online channels and stock cooling and hydration products as owners avoid peak-heat shopping trips.
Welsh and English footfall fell hardest, so pet retailers in those nations should weight spend toward online and local delivery rather than relying on destination mall stores through the warm months. Scotland’s gains suggest modest scope for in-store pet events where high-street traffic held up.
What to watch
- June BRC footfall to confirm whether high streets keep outperforming shopping centres.
- UK pet specialty like-for-like traffic versus the 1.5% high-street dip.
- Government response on energy charges that could lift consumer confidence.
FAQ
How did pet store footfall UK-wide change in May?
BRC data shows total UK retail footfall fell 2.6% year on year in May, improving from April’s 10.7% drop. High streets fell just 1.5%, retail parks 0.5% and shopping centres 2.4%, with England down 3%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 1% and Scotland up 0.4%.
Where should UK pet retailers shift promotions?
UK pet specialty and garden-centre aisles should read the high-street gain as opportunity, since town-centre footfall held while malls softened. Retailers should shift promotions to early-morning and online channels and stock cooling and hydration products as owners avoid peak-heat shopping trips.
Which UK nations need more online pet spend?
Welsh and English footfall fell hardest at 5% and 3%, so pet retailers there should weight spend toward online and local delivery rather than destination mall stores through the warm months. Scotland’s 0.4% gain suggests modest scope for in-store pet events where high-street traffic held.
Source intelligence adapted for the GlobalPetIndex pet-industry audience. Original publication: external brief.
