Retail footfall on the UK high street is down 3.1% year on year even after shoppers return following a heatwave. The figure represents an improvement compared with July, when footfall fell 3.8% as people sheltered from the hotter weather.
Both outlets frame the latest movement as a post-heatwave shift rather than a full recovery. While the return of more normal conditions brings shoppers back, year-on-year demand has not rebounded to flat or positive growth. The Independent highlights the month-to-month improvement from July to the more recent reading, suggesting the weather’s impact is easing. Other reporting emphasizes that footfall is still lower than the previous year despite fewer weather-related disruptions.
