UK retail figures show unconfident shoppers still staying home

The British Retail Consortium said: ‘As inflation continues to climb and consumer confidence falls, it is by no means certain footfall will continue to improve in the months to come.’ Photograph: Ian Dagnall/Alamy

Retailers are warning of fragile confidence among shoppers after figures revealed visitor numbers to UK high streets, shopping centres and retail parks last month remained 12.5% down on pre-pandemic levels.

The shift to working from home and concerns about the cost of living continue to hold back trade, with visits to shopping centres down by more than a quarter on 2019 while high streets had 14% fewer visitors.