Low consumer confidence ahead of a possible tax increase in the Budget kept many shoppers away from retail stores in September, according to the latest figures.
Tube strikes in London, heavy rain in the first half of September and Storm Amy at the end of the month exacerbated the decline, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said.
Total UK passenger traffic was down 1.8% in September from a year earlier, significantly more than the 0.4% drop recorded in August, BRC-Sensormatic data shows.
Footfall on high streets decreased by 2.5% year-on-year in September, while visits to retail parks and shopping centers decreased by 0.8% and 2% respectively.
Footfall fell again year on year in all countries, by 0.5% in Northern Ireland, 1.8% in England, 2.3% in Scotland and the biggest decline of 2.5% in Wales.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Retailers’ ability to invest in local communities and high streets has been hampered by last year’s Budget, which added £5bn in employment costs to the industry, plus a new packaging tax.
“For retailers to invest in shopping destinations that entice shoppers to return, government-imposed cost burdens that hold back that investment must be removed.
“The next Budget is the time for the Chancellor to do just that, deliver on Labour’s manifesto commitment to a significant reduction in business rates for the industry and ensure no workshop pays more in the process.”
Sensormatic's Andy Sumpter said: “The month started with a modest rebound, driven by back-to-school shopping, but the momentum was quickly disrupted.
“The London Underground strike in the middle of the month and Storm Amy at the end caused widespread disruption, affecting shopper activity across the country.
“These developments compounded the already cautious consumer mood, with many still facing cost pressures and economic uncertainty.
“Retailers will now hope that September's slowdown was less of a sign of reversal and more of a pause for reflection.”
