British retailers have rounded off a challenging year on a high note, with new figures revealing a robust and welcome surge in Christmas shopping activity. Analysts report that footfall across all UK retail destinations showed a resilient increase of 3.9% compared to the same period last year, providing a festive boost to the sector.
Boxing Day Emerges as Decade's Standout Performer
The undisputed highlight of the season was Boxing Day, which saw shopper numbers soar to 4.4% higher than in 2024. According to retail analysts MRI Software, this represents the most substantial year-on-year increase witnessed for the day in a full decade, cementing its status as the 'standout' trading day of the festive period.
The growth was not evenly spread across all location types. Retail parks led the charge with a formidable 8.8% uplift in visitors. High streets also enjoyed healthy growth, recording a 3.6% increase, while shopping centres saw a more modest rise of 2.1%.
Evening Economy and Leisure Drive Festive Momentum
A significant driver of the Boxing Day success was a surge in evening activity. Footfall between 5pm and 11pm leapt by an average of 9.6% compared to last year, delivering a likely windfall for restaurants, bars, and leisure venues situated in retail areas.
This positive momentum carried through into Saturday 27 December, with overall footfall up 1.6% year-on-year. High streets continued to perform well with a 2.4% increase, though shopping centres experienced a slight dip of 0.6%.
Analysts Point to Calendar and Leisure Trends
Jenni Matthews, a retail analyst at MRI Software, suggested that the later placement of Christmas Day in the week may have given consumers more time for last-minute shopping trips. Looking ahead, she said: "As family gatherings draw to a close and consumers look ahead to New Year’s Eve, footfall is expected to continue rising over the coming days."
She added that shoppers would likely remain focused on sales, festive events, and topping up on essentials, keeping the retail period active. Matthews highlighted the growing importance of leisure-led footfall in sustaining seasonal performance, a trend noted throughout 2025.
In London's West End, footfall across December 26 and 27 rose by 1.5%. Dee Corsi, Chief Executive of the New West End Company, noted a 1.7% increase on Boxing Day itself, driven by a strong 5% growth on Oxford Street. Corsi expressed hope that this increased visitor numbers would translate into sales, helping businesses end a tough year positively despite wider economic pressures.
Taken together, these Christmas week trends have delivered a much-needed lift for UK retailers, highlighting both the tactical importance of the calendar and the evolving habits of consumers who combine shopping with social and leisure activities.
