Retail footfall rose for the first time in over a year last month as consumers flocked to the shops during the back to school rush.
Total UK shopper visitors rose 3.3% last month, up from a decline of 0.4% in August, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported.
Retail parks enjoyed the biggest boost, with footfall up 7.3% in September, up from a 2.6% rise the month before.
Shopping centre visitor numbers increased 2.3%, up from a 1.8% dip in August, while high street numbers edged up 0.9% last month compared to a 0.3% dip.
All four of the UK nations enjoyed an increase in footfall year-on-year, with Wales reporting a growth of 5.4% and England up 3.6%.
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BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Footfall rose for the first time in over a year as mild temperatures combined with weak footfall last year led to strong growth in September.
“It was neither too hot nor too cold for customers, leaving retailers in the sweet spot for additional shopping trips. This compared positively to last year when the intense heatwave caused many people to stay home and delay purchases of autumnal clothes and products.
“Retail parks continued to perform particularly well as the increased rain drove some people towards shopping areas with nearby parking.
“While retailers will welcome this autumnal boost, it is the next few months, in the run up to Christmas, that are most important. The Chancellor wants to boost confidence and help unlock business investment.
“A Retail Business Rates Corrector, a 20% adjustment to bills for all retail properties, would help mitigate the disproportionate impact of business rates on retail, driving investment and helping to rejuvenate high streets. This in turn would boost shopper footfall and create thriving communities up and down the country.”
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