UK Retail Footfall Springs Back in April: Easter Bounces and Economic Quirks Ahead!

The UK retail sector just handed investors a much-needed Easter egg: 4.3% year-on-year footfall growth in April 2025, bouncing back from March’s dismal 5.4% slump. But this isn’t just about bunnies and chocolate—it’s a tale of timing, weather, and stubborn economic headwinds. Let’s crack into the numbers and see where the opportunities (and pitfalls) lie.

The Easter Effect: A Distortion Worth Celebrating

The biggest driver here is the calendar shift of Easter. In 2024, the holiday fell in March, but in 2025, it moved to April, artificially depressing March’s figures and inflating April’s. This “apples-to-oranges” comparison, as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) puts it, means April’s rebound isn’t all sunshine—it’s partly catching up. But that doesn’t make it irrelevant. Easter shopping alone drove food sales growth, with retailers like Tesco (TSCO) and Asda (owned by Walmart, WMT) launching their biggest price cuts in decades to attract budget-conscious families.

Where the Traffic Is (and Isn’t)

The April data shows a clear split:
- Retail parks led the charge with a 5.1% YoY rise, thanks to their mix of shopping and leisure (think free parking, cafes, and events like the London Marathon’s 8.6% footfall boost).
- High streets and shopping centers lagged slightly at 4.1% and 3.9% growth, but still outperformed March’s declines.

But here’s the twist: weekdays surged 6.9%, fueled by school holidays and a “return-to-office” trend, while weekend footfall dipped 2.9%. Why? Shoppers might be working weekends or shifting to online purchases, but don’t write off the high street yet—Central London footfall jumped 6% as events like IKEA’s Oxford Street opening drew crowds.

The Cloud in the Easter Bunny’s Basket

Beneath the surface, cost-of-living pressures are still squeezing consumers. Despite the footfall rebound, 68% of retailers noted slower spending on non-essentials as bills rise. Add to that £5 billion in new costs for UK retailers in April—from higher wages and taxes—and you’ve got a sector balancing on a tightrope.

Investing: Follow the Footfall (and the Foresight)

• Buy into resilience: Retail parks and mixed-use destinations (think British Land (BLND) or Landsec (LAND)) are winning the footfall race. Their adaptability to events and leisure makes them less vulnerable to online competition.
• Pick your retailers wisely: Supermarkets like Tesco (TSCO) and Asda (WMT) are fighting back with price cuts, but watch their margins. If inflation stays sticky, their stock prices could wobble.
• Beware the “weekend blues”: Sectors reliant on discretionary weekend spending (luxury, entertainment) might struggle. Focus on essentials-driven retailers or those with strong online-offline hybrids.

Conclusion: Easter Isn’t a Cure-All, but It’s a Start

The April footfall surge is a welcome reprieve, but don’t mistake it for a full recovery. The data shows 4.3% growth is solid, but it’s partly borrowed from March’s slump. Investors should heed the BRC’s warning: global trade tensions, rising costs, and weak wage growth could still derail momentum.

Here’s the math:
- Retail parks are the darlings (5.1% growth) but face post-Easter dips in coastal towns (-9.4% week-on-week post-holiday).
- Weekday visits are booming, but weekends are weak, hinting at a shift in how consumers spend their time.

The takeaway? Stay bullish on physical retail’s adaptability—but keep one eye on the cost-of-living storm. If you’re investing, stick to those who can convert footfall into sales (like Tesco’s price strategy) and avoid overpaying for discretionary darlings. This Easter bounce is a start, but the real test comes when the chocolate runs out.

In the end, the UK retail rebound is a cautiously optimistic sign—just don’t eat the whole Easter egg in one sitting.

Investment advice disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always conduct thorough research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.