Rumoured tax hikes and poor weather discouraged consumers from shopping in November, according to trade association the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Total UK footfall fell 0.8% year on year in November, from a 0.7% decline the month prior, the latest data from the BRC-Sensormatic footfall monitor found.
High street footfall dipped 1.2% over the month, compared to 0.6% in October, the organisation reported.
Retail park footfall fell 0.4% last month, rising from 0.5% in October. Additionally, shopping centre footfall dropped by 1.3% in November, from 0.9% the month before.
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BRC CEO Helen Dickinson said: “Wet weather and the prospect of a tax-rising Budget meant some shoppers held off shopping visits last month.
“Storm Claudia prompted many consumers to search online for Black Friday deals throughout November, leading some to not visit bricks-and-mortar stores on Black Friday.
“There was good news in some northern UK cities, as Manchester and Sheffield continued to buck the trend, recording positive footfall for the eighth consecutive month.”
She added: “With the ‘golden quarter’ in full swing, retailers are continuing to invest what they can to entice customers into stores over Christmas.
“However, as we approach the new year, given the downward trend in footfall across recent years, we need a comprehensive strategy to revitalise our high streets and shopping centres, from better transport and affordable parking, to a reformed planning system to enable faster, better development.”
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