Footfall in Wales in April rebounded after a “dismal” March, prompting optimism ahead of the summer months.
According to WRC-Sensormatic data, Welsh footfall increased by 13.6% in April (YoY), up from -8.3% in March. Shopping centre footfall increased by 8.1% in April (YoY), up from -13.1% in March.
Retail park footfall increased by 11.6% in April (YoY), up from -1.9% in March. Footfall in Cardiff increased by 9.0% (YoY), up from -10.8% in March.
Taking March and April together, compared with the same two months in 2024 (to cancel out any impact of Easter), Welsh footfall increased by 1.3%.
This year, Easter was in April, while last year it was in March. This calendar change distorts the year on year footfall comparisons – resulting in an artificially higher April, but lower March footfall. The combined figure for March and April negates this distortion, presenting a more realistic picture of footfall across the two months.
Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said:
“Welsh retailers recorded a significant uptick in April, with footfall rebounding after a dismal March which saw Wales record the lowest footfall across the nations. The warmer weather and late Easter helped to drive shopper numbers across all retail destinations, giving hope that spring has finally sprung and that a more consistent, positive outlook is on the horizon.
“Whilst the figures presented will give optimism ahead of the summer trading period, they are set against a backdrop of economic turbulence which threatens growth and investment prospects. Footfall is just one marker of performance and must be viewed alongside retail sales and the cost of doing business, which remains challenging to say the least. Retailers continue to grapple with government mandated tax rises and wider regulatory costs, all of which threaten their ability to invest. To give retailers the best chance of recovery, and at a time when many high streets are in desperate need of revitalisation, it is vital that the Welsh Government considers all levers at its disposal to give footfall the best chance of a sustained recovery.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said:
“April brought a welcome rebound in footfall, with UK shopper numbers rising +7.2% year-on-year across all retail destinations. The combination of Easter trading and the sunniest April on record helped entice consumers back into stores. High Streets and Shopping Centres both saw solid gains of +5.3% and 5.6% respectively. Retail Parks continued to outperform at 7.5%, reinforcing their role as a resilient format.
“Looking at March and April together however, the overall picture for Wales is more balanced, with footfall across the two months up 1.3% year-on-year. While this suggests that April’s gains largely offset March’s dip, it also highlights the importance of sustained engagement beyond seasonal peaks. Retailers will now be looking to build on this momentum as we move into the summer months.”
