Taylor Swift and Euro 2024 Boost Scottish Retail Footfall – Scottish Business News

In June 2024, Scotland witnessed a notable increase in retail footfall, driven by significant events such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts and the commencement of the Euro 2024 football championship.

This positive trend marks a welcome change for the retail sector, which had faced challenging conditions earlier in the year.

Overall retail footfall in Scotland increased by 0.2% year-on-year in June, a marked improvement from the 5.4% decrease observed in May.

This growth stands out even more when compared to the UK average, which saw a 2.3% decrease in footfall during the same period.

Shopping centres in Scotland experienced a 1.2% rise in footfall, outperforming the national average.

Edinburgh and Glasgow were among the cities that saw significant increases in footfall, with Edinburgh experiencing a 2.4% rise and Glasgow a 2.2% increase.

The surge in Edinburgh was partly attributed to major events such as Taylor Swift’s concerts at Murrayfield Stadium and the Royal Highland Show, which drew large crowds to the city.

The combination of concerts, events, and the Euro 2024 football championship helped to counteract the cool weather and encouraged Scots to visit retail destinations.

This increase in foot traffic is viewed as a positive development for Scottish retailers, who are hopeful that the trend will continue through the summer holidays, potentially offsetting the challenges experienced in previous months.

Despite this encouraging increase, high streets in Scotland still face significant challenges.

The retail sector is looking to both the UK and Scottish governments, as well as local authorities, to prioritise economic growth and support the industry’s recovery.

The recent improvement in footfall provides a glimmer of hope, but sustained efforts will be necessary to ensure long-term stability and growth for the retail sector in Scotland.