Retail footfall in Wales fell by 3% year-on-year in September as subdued consumer confidence and rising household costs continued to influence shopping behaviour.
The decline was more than double the 1.3% fall recorded in August, according to the latest data from the Welsh Retail Consortium and Sensormatic IQ.
Shopping centres experienced the largest reduction, with visitor numbers down 5% compared with September 2025. Retail-park footfall decreased by 3%, having fallen by just 0.3% in August.
Cardiff also recorded a sharper decline, with footfall falling by 4.5% year-on-year, compared with a 1.9% reduction during the previous month.
The figures cover the five weeks between 30 August and 3 October 2026 and are based on shopper numbers entering retail stores across the UK.
The Welsh Retail Consortium said the month began positively, supported by back-to-school spending and the bank holiday, before unsettled weather and continued caution among consumers affected activity.
Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said:
“Despite a strong start to the month, buoyed by back-to-school spending and the bank holiday, footfall in Wales fell by 3% year on year in September, a steeper decline than the 1.3% recorded in August.
“The picture was weaker across key Welsh destinations, with shopping-centre footfall falling by 5% year on year and retail-park footfall down 3%.
“The fall came as unsettled weather and subdued consumer confidence made for a challenging backdrop, with many households continuing to think carefully about discretionary spending as prices at the petrol pump and household energy bills ticked upwards.”
The decline comes as retailers enter the Golden Quarter, the key trading period covering the run-up to Christmas.
Ms Jones said the acceleration in the year-on-year decline was concerning, particularly for shopping centres and retail parks, and warned that additional costs could restrict the ability of retailers to invest.
She added:
“Against this backdrop, the decision to increase the business-rates multiplier for the largest properties is deeply worrying.
“Many of the retailers affected are anchor stores which draw people into our town and city centres and support the wider businesses around them.
“Loading further costs onto these stores risks hitting them hardest at precisely the time we need them investing in places, jobs and the future of our high streets.”
Sensormatic said September represented the seventh month in which Welsh footfall had declined during the first nine months of 2026.
Andy Sumpter, Head of Consulting and Analytics for EMEA at Sensormatic, said broader economic concerns appeared to have had a greater effect on shopper behaviour than the weather.
He said:
“While temperatures remained above seasonal norms, the weather was less of a factor in shopper behaviour this month.
“Instead, broader economic concerns appear to be weighing more heavily on consumers, with inflation, household budgets, fuel costs and uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget all contributing to a cautious spending mindset.”
He said retailers would now be focused on increasing both visits and spending during the final months of the year.
“As retailers enter the crucial Golden Quarter, the focus now shifts firmly towards driving both footfall and spend during the industry’s most important trading period.
“With consumer confidence remaining fragile, businesses across Wales will be hoping that seasonal events and festive trading can help encourage more shoppers back into stores in the months ahead.”
The overall footfall figures primarily cover high streets, shopping centres and retail parks. Additional locations, including outlets, travel hubs, garden centres and other standalone stores, also contribute to the total index.
