Retailers hoping for a summer boost have been left disappointed for the second year running, with new figures showing one in seven shops remain empty.

Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic found total UK footfall in July was down 0.4% year on year, while high street visits dropped 1.7%.

Shopping centre footfall declined 0.3%, but retail parks recorded a 1.7% increase, helped by new store openings from major brands.

Wales was the only part of the UK to see growth, with a 0.4% rise in footfall. Numbers fell in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland by 0.3%, 1.3% and 3% respectively.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “July failed to bring about the summer boost in shoppers many retailers had hoped for. Instead, footfall dipped for the second consecutive year.

“Customers want a vibrant shopping destination, but with around one in seven shops lying empty, more needs to be done to turn town and city centres into places people want to visit. While reducing business rates for most retail, hospitality and leisure premises is a step in the right direction, only a substantial cut will truly help communities and bring thousands of empty shops back into use.”

Andy Sumpter, from Sensormatic, said the early July heatwave may have drawn people towards leisure activities instead of retail.

“One year into a new Labour government, consumer sentiment remains cautious. The underlying footfall trend may be improving, but this is still negative growth on negative 2024 figures – raising the question: are shoppers returning, or simply shopping around more as they try to spend less?

“Either way, retailers who can offer value, experience and convenience may be best-placed to convert tentative footfall into lasting growth.”