![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Shoppers-in-Edinburgh.png\")
Scottish shoppers came out in greater numbers than elsewhere in the UK last month to give retailers a welcome mid-summer lift.<\/p>\n
Footfall north of the border increased by 1.7% in June (YoY), up from 0.4% in May, while across the UK there was a 3.4% fall, (YoY), a further decline on the 2.6% fall in May.<\/p>\n
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, blamed the scorching weather for the weak UK figures. \u201cFootfall dropped in June as the record heatwave kept many shoppers indoors,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
That was borne out by data which showed high streets suffered the sharpest declines, while air-conditioned shopping centres and retail parks proved more resilient.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scotland\u2019s figures included a particularly strong showing from Glasgow which began to recover from the devastating fire at Union Corner in March. Edinburgh, meanwhile, is coming to terms with the blaze in Princes Street this week which has closed the main thoroughfare and neighbouring streets. The impact of the incident will show up in this month\u2019s figures.<\/p>\n
The capital had seen zero change in June, while Glasgow saw a 6.1% rise. Scottish shopping Centre\u00a0footfall increased by 0.5% in June (YoY), down from 1.3% in May. Retail Park\u00a0footfall increased by 10.8% in June (YoY), up from 1.5% in May.<\/p>\n
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: \u201cShopper foot-traffic increased for a second consecutive month in June, with Scotland the only nation or region of the UK to record growth during the period \u2013 encouraging coming against a backdrop of subdued consumer confidence and elevated petrol pump prices following the Iran conflict. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis positive trend was particularly strong in the lead-up to Scotland\u2019s first and second World Cup matches, likely reflecting increased spending on food, drink and related merchandise. <\/p>\n
\u201cGlasgow emerged as the highest-performing city in the UK, supported in part by the further gradual reopening of pedestrian areas in the city centre following the Union Corner fire in March.<\/p>\n \u201cRetailers in the city will be hoping the imminent start to the Commonwealth Games will provide a further boost to footfall and consumer spending. <\/p>\n \u201cRetailers will also be looking to the likely incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to begin to make good on his pledge of a high street \u2018renaissance\u2019. <\/p>\n \u201cOur\u00a0retail destinations can be a springboard to help the\u00a0wider\u00a0economy bounce back; however, to achieve this, they need to become more cost-effective\u00a0and desirable\u00a0locations for retailers of all sizes to invest in.\u201d<\/p>\n Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, said: \u201cThis represents one of Scotland\u2019s better months so far in 2026, offering a more encouraging signal as we pass the halfway point of the year.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile Scotland also experienced high temperatures, recording its warmest day of the year at 29\u00b0C, conditions were less extreme than further south and may have been less disruptive to shopper activity.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite June\u2019s positive outcome, underlying consumer behaviour remains cautious. While confidence is improving slightly, it is still subdued. As we move into the second half of the year, the focus for retailers will be on sustaining this momentum and converting footfall into meaningful spend.\u201d<\/p>\n \t <\/div>\n![\"Union](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Union-Building-Glasgow-fire-March-2026-BBC-vid.png\")