This is below the UK average decline of 15.7% (Yo2Y). For the fourth consecutive month, Scotland saw the deepest decline in footfall of all UK nations.

Shopping Centre footfall declined by 28.0% in November (Yo2Y) in Scotland, down from -26.3% in October.

In November, footfall in Glasgow decreased by 22.2% (Yo2Y), a 3.8 percentage point decrease from October.

David Lonsdale, director, SRC, said: “Visits to Scottish stores dwindled last month when contrasted with the same period prior to the pandemic. This was the weakest performance in four months, disappointing retailers who were hoping for a lift during what is traditionally the second busiest trading month of the year.

“Shopper visits were down a fifth on the comparable period two years ago, with Scotland again languishing behind every part of the UK other than London. Footfall shrivelled across all retail destinations, with the dip in Glasgow more pronounced and the weakest in five months.

“Indeed, Glasgow recorded the weakest performance of the eleven UK cities surveyed, which bore out anecdotal reports from some retailers about the adverse short-term impact on footfall from the transport restrictions and demonstrations associated with hosting COP26. The recent spike in the cost of living has also weighed on household finances.”

He continued: “These dreich figures are profoundly worrying and come during what could be a make-or-break festive trading period for some firms with the industry. Scots retailers have looked on with increasing envy at their Northern Ireland counterparts who have seen a demonstrable uplift from the introduction there of a high street voucher scheme, which has boosted takings by a reported £100 million in recent weeks.

“Next week’s Scottish Budget needs to supercharge the engine of growth and support the sector over the coming months. It’s why the industry is asking for measures to boost consumer sentiment and to blunt the full 100% reinstatement of business rates early next year for all retail premises.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: “We saw a slight footfall falter in November, with shopper traffic taking a nominal dip on October’s figures, however, it’s worth remembering that this is only the second time in the whole of 2021 that we’ve seen a monthly slowdown in the High Street’s recovery, as consumer confidence continues to grow and the resurgence in bricks-and-mortar builds back, slowly but steadily.

“Usually, in November we’d expect to see a boost to the High Street due to Black Friday, which traditionally marks the start of Christmas spending. However, whilst we saw footfall rise by a third (+35%) week-on-week, shopper numbers on Black Friday were still down on pre-pandemic levels by about a fifth, which maybe down to polarised flux in Christmas shopping behaviours we’re witnessing.

“Those who have bought early in a bid to avoid crowds and minimise risks of supply chain disruption have shopped even earlier this year, contributing to October’s boost and November’s lull; meanwhile we still expect to see those ‘last minute’ shoppers hitting the High Streets in December.”