The British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic said total UK retail footfall fell
2.9% between Aug 30 and Oct 3, versus a 1.7% decline in August. Retailers cited
rising consumer concern about the economic outlook — including inf, household
spending pressure, higher fuel costs and uncertainty ahead of the autumn budget
— and said the coming months, including the Christmas shopping period, will be
critical as they seek to lure shoppers back to stores.