More rail strikes in the UK can only mean one thing: further disruption to retail with footfall severely affected and a time when stores struggle to attract winter shoppers.

According to MRI Software, industrial action scheduled for 29 January to 6 February across the rail network, will result in “another damaging week for retail’.

Over the nine-day period, overtime bans and rolling strikes across the UK are expected to impact businesses reliant on commuter footfall. Major regional cities and central London will be hit hardest, with previous strike activity seeing footfall drop between 8-20%, it noted.

This latest wave of strike action will likely cause a second successive week of difficult trading following storms Isha and Jocelyn that caused travel chaos and disrupted retailers as shoppers avoided making journeys.

On Tuesday (23 January), footfall across UK high streets was down 16.8% compared to 2023 levels with MRI Software suggesting strike action could see footfall decline even further.

However, it added: “While we anticipate footfall to decline next week due to the rail disruption, it is likely to be less severe than on previous strike days. This is due to footfall levels already dropping significantly this week as a result of Storms Isha and Jocelyn.

“This will no doubt impact businesses reliant on commuter footfall such as leisure and hospitality particularly in regional cities and London. However, there may well be optimism for local towns and centres benefiting from activity from those working from home and choosing to venture out during the working day.”