A late surge in shoppers eager to take advantage of Boxing Day sales drove a decade-high increase in footfall across UK retail destinations. However, this did not translate into higher spending, as consumers remained cautious amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Data from MRI Software showed that footfall across high streets and shopping centres was up by 4.4% compared to the same day in 2024. The peak in activity was observed between 5 pm and 11 pm, with a 9.6% average increase versus a 3.1% rise from 6 am to 5 pm.
Jenni Matthews, a retail analyst at MRI, noted that the boost in foot traffic was likely driven by shoppers deciding to head out a bit later in the day, as many stores remained closed until 28 December. She suggested that the hospitality and leisure sectors may have benefited from the increased foot traffic.
While the surge in footfall was an “early indicator that the retail sector may well end the year on a positive note,” the data did not necessarily translate into higher spending. Barclays had forecast that consumers would spend £1 billion less on this year’s Boxing Day deals compared to 2024.
The Office for National Statistics’ recent retail spending data showed that many shoppers resisted the lure of November’s Black Friday sales, with only a 0.1% lift in sales volume. Analysts say 2025 has been a challenging year for people as rising prices and other factors have squeezed household finances.
Despite the strong post-Christmas shopping momentum, MRI anticipated that footfall would continue to rise over the coming days as consumers shop the sales, make the most of festive events and attractions, and stock up on New Year’s Eve essentials.
