UK retail destinations had a soft October, according to MRI Software’s footfall data for 4 to 31 October 2026. Total footfall fell 0.3 per cent from September and was down 0.7 per cent year on year. MRI said this was in line with previous Octobers.
By type of destination:
- High streets were the weakest, down 1.9 per cent month on month and 2.5 per cent year on year.
- Retail parks were up 2.2 per cent year on year, and 0.7 per cent month on month in MRI’s published table.
- Shopping centres rose 2.1 per cent month on month and were up 0.1 per cent year on year.
Storm week, then half-term rebound
In the second-to-last week of October, overall footfall fell 7.7 per cent week on week and high street visits fell 13 per cent. MRI said the dip was likely influenced by Storms Austen and Boelo.
Visits rose 17 per cent overall in the final week, which covered half term and the recovery from the storms. High streets were up 22 per cent and shopping centres were up 17.1 per cent. That week finished 2.2 per cent ahead of the same week in 2025.
Fewer impulse buys in store
MRI Software runs a weekly survey of more than 700 store managers, called Insights from the Inside. In it, almost three-quarters of managers reported fewer impulse purchases than last year.
Confidence, the Budget and Black November
The GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer, published by NIQ, fell 11 points to -24 in October. Its Major Purchase Index fell 14 points to -22. Shoppers’ expectations for their personal finances over the next year fell eight points to -3.
The Autumn Budget was delivered on 28 October 2026. MRI said Black Friday has stretched into a month-long “Black November” of promotions, which gives value-conscious shoppers longer to wait and compare deals, including online.
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