Changing fortunes? July’s retail footfall hits decade-high MoM growth

July saw the biggest month-on-month rise in shop and high street footfall since 2016, fuelled by consistent spells of hot weather, and major events like the World Cup and summer concerts. 

Retailers that leaned into the sunnier weather – with summer activations and events – saw the biggest boost in sales, as heatwaves pushed shoppers towards interactive retail experiences over simpler setups. 

However, despite July’s uplift in consumer confidence, Britain’s high street is still in a broader downturn. We explore what sellers can learn from July’s winnings to keep revenue flowing in from and beyond.

UK’s sunny spell drives up high street footfall

High street retailers faced their fair share of problems in 2026, but according to new data from MRI Software’s Insights from the Inside report, footfall wasn’t one of them this July. The month recorded the strongest month-on-month footfall since July 2016, with retail destinations overall up 5.5% MoM, and 0.4% YoY. 

Growth on high streets led the charge, with a MoM increase of 7.3%, as scores of shoppers looked to escape the heat indoors, while shopping centers and retail parks saw smaller increases. 

According to the research, the World Cup proved to be a huge driver of growth, with match days creating footfall spillover beyond hospitality venues alone. For instance, for England’s opener UK footfall was up 4.2% overall, with retail footfall jumping 14.9% week-on-week after 8pm. 

Major summer music events added further to the momentum, according to MRI, with the BST Hyde Park festival, Harry Styles, and Luke Combs concerts all bringing visitors into towns and cities throughout July.  

But shoppers weren’t just turning up; they were also spending money. New data from NielsenIQ found that consumer confidence improved by six points during July, driven by a mixture of sporting successes and seasonal activity. However, some retailers were more successful at turning footfall into cash flow.

 Experience-led retail is winning over shoppers

While the UK’s sunniest July on record brought flocks of people to the high street, shopping habits suggest that traditional brick-and-mortar stores may not be cutting it alone anymore. 

From beach-themed installations to family-focused events, the destinations that thrived in July were the ones that led with experiences, rather than just stocked shelves. This is backed up by MRI Software’s Insights research, which found that 62% of retailers reported that summer activations helped them drive sales in recent weeks. 

The findings suggest that experience-led shopping is more likely to translate to sales than shops that draw in crowds to browse and leave. For retailers, this could involve blending retail with leisure, hospitality, and entertainment, or pairing products with seasonal activities that give shoppers an extra reason to leave the house. 

As Jenni Matthews, Retail Insights Analyst at MRI Software, explains: “The retailers and destinations that performed best weren’t necessarily those with the biggest brands or the largest footprints, but those that created moments people wanted to be part of. That’s a mindset worth taking into the Golden Quarter.”

 How small retailers can replicate July’s successes?

While it’s easy to assume July’s wins were just driven by huge brands and well-known activations, smaller retailers stand to benefit just as much. 

With another potential heatwave on the way before we move into Autumn proper, here’s how to keep up the momentum for the following months.

Ultimately, while July brought crowds to the UK’s high streets, foot traffic will wind down into the colder months. So, as we move into the Golden Quarter, it’s retailers who give shoppers a reason to stay out, that will have a better chance of turning footfall into lasting revenue.