{"id":574045,"date":"2026-05-09T03:19:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T03:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/574045\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T03:19:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T03:19:16","slug":"retail-footfall-down-as-iran-war-saps-consumer-confidence-industry-warns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/574045\/","title":{"rendered":"Retail footfall down as Iran war saps consumer confidence, industry warns"},"content":{"rendered":"

The number of people visiting Scotland\u2019s shops fell last month as the conflict in the Middle East sapped consumer confidence, according to analysis.<\/p>\n

Data from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and Sensormatic shows footfall decreased 5.2% year-on-year in April.<\/p>\n

Shopping centre footfall fell 4.2% year-on-year last month while retail park footfall decreased 3%.<\/p>\n

The data covers the four weeks from April 5 to May 2.<\/p>\n

Analysts said the Easter period was included in the figures for March this year, resulting in an artificially higher March, but lower April footfall.<\/p>\n

Taking March and April together and comparing them with the same two months in 2025 to cancel out any impact from Easter shows Scottish footfall decreased by 1%.<\/p>\n

SRC director David Lonsdale said: \u201cVisits to Scottish stores went into reverse last month, falling by over 5%. The dip was pronounced due to Easter falling early this year, which brought forward foot-traffic to shops.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhilst the drop was expected that will have been of little consolation to shopkeepers. The footfall decline was felt across all destinations, albeit Scotland\u2019s performance was the least-worst of all 12 parts of the UK monitored.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis comes at a tricky time for retailers who have seen employment costs spike whilst absorbing additional outlays on fuel and shipping due to the conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe conflict is also sapping consumer confidence at a time when household budgets have been strained by successive near double-digit increases in water bills and council tax.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully the next first minister and devolved government will bring fresh energy to reinvigorating Scotland\u2019s high streets.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said retail destinations can be a \u201cspringboard to help the economy bounce back\u201d.<\/p>\n

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant for Sensormatic Solutions, said: \u201cLooked at together, March and April combined were down just 1%, the best performance of the devolved nations.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven so, with consumer confidence falling and cost-of-living pressures persisting, it\u2019s clear that shoppers are becoming more selective \u2013 making fewer trips, but with clearer intent when they do.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a month where even a \u2018good\u2019 result would likely have remained negative, it\u2019s difficult not to be disappointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat said, opportunity remains. Those who are out and about are often there to spend, making every shopper more valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n

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