Retailers Urged to Weigh Footfall Risks Before Relocating to Cheaper High Street Units 

Retailers considering relocating to cheaper premises amid the ongoing shake up of the UK high street should weight the potential impact of footfall more thoroughly before making the move, according to property specialist and Partner at national chartered surveyor Bruton Knowles Sam Spencer. 

Due to the transformation in consumer shopping habits, driven largely by the rapid growth of online retail, the economic landscape for high street stores has drastically changed. 

According to recent government data, around 30% of the UK’s shopping now takes place online. As a result, traditional bricks and mortar retailers are facing reduced footfall as customers increasingly choose home delivery for everything from clothes to groceries, but Sam has warned that stores should think carefully before uprooting from their current units. 

“Many people now treat stores as showrooms before going online to buy the same product as there might be ainn online-specific discount,” he said. “I’d argue if retailers could offer the same discounts in stores as online, they’d see an increase in in-store purchases. What I’d caution against is further reducing your footfall by moving somewhere that’s less accessible to consumers all in the name of a lower rental price. 

According to the Centre for Retail Research, 57 retailers went into administration in 2025, impacting 3,380 stores and 32,500 employees. Operating costs remain significant for many high street stores. In recent year, retail tenants have faced a combination of rent, business rates and utilities and staffing costs increases, all of which are contributing to the financial pressures that are being felt. 

In some locations, rising vacancy rates have begun to bring down rents, however Sam has warned that relocating purely to save on property costs can carry its own risks. 

“If a retailer decides to move one of it’s stores, they may think they’re making a saving, but in actuality it might be accelerating the decline of that branch,” he said. “If you look at many high streets with a lot of empty units, you may see a high concentration of things like barbers, phone accessory shops and so on, which reflects rents coming down in those areas. But that doesn’t mean that if you move your business to one of those units, it’s the right commercial decision.” 

Relocating away from established retail clusters such as shopping centres or retail parks can reduce passing trade, particularly for brands that rely heavily on visibility and spontaneous visits. 

Sam noted that for cities and towns to combat this, there must be an incentive for independent retailers and leisure experiences to set up. 

“If you look at some small towns like Holt in Norfolk, that is thriving because it’s full of independent retailers. There are very few vacant properties, and the leisure offering is strong. People visit for the experience as much as the shopping. 

“That’s what will increase footfall: distinctive brands and independent businesses. There is little point in retailers competing purely on a traditional high street if the footfall already isn’t there for chain retailers.” 

As the sector continues to grapple with changing consumer habits, Sam said that businesses need to consider a more balanced view when considering a relocation or cost-saving strategy. 

“Cost control is important, but retailers need to think carefully about the bigger picture. Footfall, visibility and the overall retail environment can be just as important as the rent when it comes to long term viability.” 

Bruton Knowles, one of the UK’s most well-known chartered surveyor firms, brings extensive expertise to valuations across various sectors including retail, leisure and hospitality. With its National Teams – Valuation, Commercial, Utilities & Infrastructure – supported by Building Consultancy, Land and Development, and Rural Service Teams, Bruton Knowles offers a seamless, high standard approach to delivering complex client projects.