Back-to-school spending helps shopping centres and retail parks weather a volatile August

Covering the four-week period from 2 August to 30 August 2026 

As families prepared for the new school year, back-to-school shopping emerged as a key footfall driver throughout August. Shopping centres benefited most from the trend, while our latest Insights from the Inside* survey found that 50% of store managers reported seeing back-to-school spending build momentum during the month. 

Retail parks also performed strongly, highlighting continued consumer demand for convenient destinations that support multiple shopping needs within a single trip. As the summer holidays ended, many consumers appeared to combine shopping, dining and leisure activities into a single journey, reinforcing the appeal of destinations that offer more than retail alone. 

Weather remains a dominant influence

August also demonstrated how quickly consumer behaviour can shift in response to weather. 

The UK’s fifth heatwave in less than three months disrupted visits across many towns and cities, particularly as temperatures approached 38°C in parts of southern England. High streets were among the hardest-hit locations during the hottest part of the month, while coastal destinations benefited from the warmer conditions as consumers sought relief closer to the seaside. 

The opposite trend emerged during the final week of the month. Heavy rain and flash flooding affected parts of the UK, leading to lower activity on many high streets. Shopping centres and retail parks proved more resilient as consumers favoured indoor destinations and weather-protected environments. 

These contrasting patterns highlight a growing reality for retailers and destination operators: Weather is a greater factor influencing where people choose to visit. Understanding these shifts and responding quickly to changing conditions is becoming more important as consumer behaviour becomes more fluid. 

Coastal destinations reflect evolving holiday habits

Coastal towns enjoyed a positive month overall, with footfall increasing by +6.3% month on month as families continued to make the most of day trips and short breaks during the final weeks of the school holidays. 

However, the longer-term picture was more mixed.  Despite strong performance during August, coastal destinations continued to lag behind last year’s levels. This suggests that while domestic leisure activity remains healthy, some consumers may be opting for longer holidays abroad as confidence and spending power gradually improve. 

The contrast between monthly and annual performance indicates how selective consumers remain with their time and discretionary spending. 

Consumer confidence also provided a more encouraging backdrop for retail performance. The latest NielsenIQ Consumer Confidence Index rose three points to -14, its highest level in two years, reflecting greater optimism around personal finances, major purchases and the wider economy. While consumers remain selective, improving sentiment may provide cautious encouragement for retailers as the industry approaches peak trading. 

Looking ahead to the Golden Quarter

As attention turns towards the Golden Quarter, the summer of 2026 confirmed the importance of destination appeal. More consumers value locations that combine shopping, dining, entertainment and convenience, rather than shopping alone. 

Several retailers, including Home Bargains, have announced Boxing Day and New Year’s Day store closures this year, reflecting changing festive shopping patterns. Spending is becoming more spread across the season, beginning as early as Black Friday and extending beyond Christmas. Last year’s Boxing Day footfall data showed visits rising +4.4% year on year, with the strongest growth occurring during evening hours, suggesting that experiences and wider destination appeal are increasingly influencing consumer behaviour. 

“August reinforced how quickly consumer behaviour can shift in response to weather, convenience and local experiences. Consumers are becoming more selective about where they spend their time, creating a growing advantage for destinations that offer compelling reasons to visit beyond shopping alone. As the Golden Quarter approaches, those that can adapt to these changing expectations will be best placed to capture footfall.” – Jenni Matthews, Retail Insights Analyst at MRI Software 

*A weekly survey of over 700 store managers which provides insights from the shop floor around how external factors and consumer behaviour are impacting both footfall and spending.