It's good news if you're selling ice creams and cold drinks, but UK retailers suffered a major setback from the recent spate of hot weather.

Footfall in July fell 10.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2017, according to the Retail Traffic Index, compiled by Ipsos Retail Performance.

With many younger people shopping online, it's the older generation, who often have a lot of disposable income, that shop on the high street and spend money in local coffee shops. And they're the people who do't want to go out in the heat, and are actually advised not to go out for their own safety.

But July did still deliver the seasonal summer peak in footfall, with a 3.4 per cent increase compared to June, as reported by Retail Gazette.

Punchline said: "It seems that any feel-good factor from the heatwave and the summer of sport failed to convert to sales in fashion, homewares and electrical goods on the high street. When it gets hot, a pub, park, the countryside or even just staying at home has a lot more appeal than the shops. It has been a tough year for retail and it doesn't look like it will be getting easier any time soon."

The Retail Traffic Index is derived from the number of shoppers entering over 4000 non-food retail stores across the UK.

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