Taylor Swift and Euros help to boost Scottish retail performance

SCOTLAND can thank a “welcome combination” of the football and concerts as retail has recovered in June, outperforming the rest of the UK.

According to figures released by the Scottish Retail Consortium, retail footfall has increased in June after a dip in May.

Scottish footfall increased by 0.2% in June year on year, up from -5.4% in May, significantly higher than the UK average, which has decreased of 2.3% year on year.

Shopping centre footfall increased by 1.2% in May in Scotland, 3.0 percentage points better than May.

In June footfall in Edinburgh increased by 2.4% and in Glasgow by 2.2%.

It is thought that amongst factors that helped to boost footfall was Taylor Swift‘s three nights in Edinburgh at Murrayfield as part of the UK leg of her Eras tour, bringing around 222,000 fans to the capital.

Also credited was this summer’s football, with Scotland’s participation in the European Championships (however brief) appearing to have rallied consumers in purchases of television as well as food and drink.

Scottish retailers will be hoping that the trend continues into July and August, with further sporting events like Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics as well as arts events such as the Edinburgh International Festival still to come.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “A modest 0.2% uplift in Scottish shopper footfall in June was nonetheless the best of a weak set of figures across the UK. 

“A welcome combination of concerts, events, and the Euros offset the cool weather to encourage Scots to visit retail destinations.

“Shopping Centres outperformed the national average, with a 1.2% increase. 

“After a difficult run Glasgow saw its first increase in footfall this year with a 2.2% increase, hopefully a sign that a stronger summer performance may be ahead after a difficult first half of 2024.

“Edinburgh narrowly pipped that performance with a 2.4% increase, in part from the Royal Highland Show and Taylor Swift’s concerts, continuing a solid series of figures.

“Despite this stronger performance high streets remain in a parlous condition. 

“As we move into the summer holidays retailers will be hoping for a sustained improvement in footfall to help offset the previous difficult months.

“They’ll also be hoping that the end of the General Election will mean the new UK Government can work with the Scottish Government and local authorities to prioritise economic growth.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: “June’s footfall saw an improvement in performance compared to last month.

“With the rain finally giving way to drier and sunnier weather, this along with events including the start of the 2024 Euros and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour helped to deliver an ambient boost to shopper traffic, pushing Scottish footfall to its highest recovery since September 2023. 

“Retailers will be hoping that major sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, provide positive opportunities to entice shoppers into store.”