Fewer shoppers headed to UK high streets on Boxing Day, with footfall in central London falling 7.7% compared to last year, according to data from MRI Software. Across all UK retail destinations, visitor numbers slipped by 0.3%, with high streets down 2.4% and shopping centres down 2.6%.
However, retail parks bucked the trend, recording a 6.9% increase in visitors. Jenni Matthews of MRI described this as an “encouraging start”, suggesting shoppers may be coming out earlier than expected. Coastal towns also saw a 10% rise, as consumers combined shopping with a day out.
The continued shift to online shopping has eroded the traditional Boxing Day rush. Many retailers, including Marks & Spencer and Next, offered up to 50% discounts online from Christmas Day itself, with in-store reductions starting later. Despite this, queues formed at Selfridges in London and Manchester’s Trafford Centre opened early.
Mild autumn weather dampened demand for winter clothing, and uncertainty ahead of the autumn budget hit consumer confidence. Nevertheless, Barclays estimated average spending per shopper would rise to £253, though total spending was expected to fall to £3.6bn, down £1bn from 2024.
