New data from Place Informatics, the UK’s leading visitor behaviour and footfall insight provider, indicates that UK high streets may be stabilising after several months of declining visitor numbers. October 2025 figures show a positive turnaround in footfall across most regions. However, retail sales fell by 1.1%, the first decline since May, as many retailers cited consumers delaying purchases in anticipation of Black Friday deals.
Nationally, UK footfall was up 0.04% year-on-year, a marked improvement from -2.58% in September 2025. Regionally, England recorded a slight drop of -0.38%, while Wales rose sharply by +3.11%, Scotland by +2.24%, and Northern Ireland by +0.44%. On a month-on-month basis, UK footfall decreased by -2.33%, reflecting the seasonal slowdown typical in October.
Year-to-date figures show a mixed picture, with the UK overall down -1.98%, and England down -2.40%, while Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all saw slight increases, indicating regional resilience in visitor trends.
The latest report also highlights trends in retail spending:
- Retail sales volumes fell -1.1% in October, following increases in August (+0.5%) and September (+0.7%), driven largely by supermarkets, clothing, and mail-order sectors. Some retailers noted consumers were delaying purchases ahead of Black Friday.
- Consumer card spending declined -0.8% year-on-year in October, slightly more than September’s -0.7%.
- Essential spending decreased by -2.5%, while non-essential spending was stable with just a 0.1% increase.
- Electronics sales dropped -3.3%, while hospitality and leisure rose +1.2%, and entertainment spending increased +4.7%, reflecting continued demand for experiences over goods.
These insights underline the importance of understanding footfall patterns and consumer behaviour as high streets navigate ongoing economic pressures. Place Informatics’ data highlights that while overall footfall shows early signs of recovery, businesses must adapt to regional variations and shifting spending patterns to ensure resilience and growth.
Clive Hall, CEO of Place Informatics, commented, “October’s data provides a welcome signal that UK town centres are beginning to recover from the summer’s declines. While challenges remain, including tighter consumer budgets and changing shopping patterns, these figures show that high streets still attract footfall and that targeted interventions can support continued recovery.”
As the UK moves into the winter season, Place Informatics continues to provide local authorities, BIDs, and businesses with actionable insights to help harness tourism, boost visitor numbers, and strengthen long-term town centre resilience.