Basket & Barometer January 2026

1st February 2026

Building on the success of footfall insights we broaden the conversation with the Basket & Barometer podcast. Diane Wehrle CEO at Rendle Intelligence and Insights joins Simon for their monthly chat

We unpack December’s retail data: footfall fell most in shopping centres, high streets held up better, and sales rose only because food prices stayed high. Confidence is inching higher, small towns are gaining share, and the high street is evolving rather than dying.

• Footfall down overall, led by shopping centres
• High streets more resilient than retail parks
• Sales growth driven by food inflation
• Discretionary categories fall in towns and cities
• Average transaction value up as visits fall
• Consumers stay local to cut travel and parking costs
• Savings ratio high despite wage growth
• Retail churn continues with notable brand moves
• High street evolves through mix, value, and relevance

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