Matt Clark, EMEA Head of Retail at AlixPartners, comments on the BRC's February footfall monitor

“The drop in footfall figures during February underlines just how subdued the retail environment remains. During the month, retailers typically see a modest rebound after the January lull as half-term and Valentine’s Day draw shoppers back into stores once the post-Christmas fatigue fades. But this year’s exceptionally wet start – with a record-breaking 40 consecutive days of precipitation – dampened that effect for all shopping locations.  
  
“At the same time, broader shifts in consumer behaviour are starting to emerge – with some food retailers already pointing to trends such as GLP-1 medications subtly changing purchasing patterns. In a market this competitive, leaders must be driving like-for-like growth. Identifying and exploiting even the smallest changes in consumer habits can have an outsized impact.”