New data reveals the UK's retail sector finished 2025 on a surprisingly robust note, with shopper numbers in December recording their most significant annual increase for the month in over a decade.
Festive Footfall Boosted by Evening Socialising
According to figures from retail technology specialist MRI Software, overall footfall at UK retail destinations rose by 1.3% in December 2025 compared to the same month the previous year. This marks the largest year-on-year uplift for December witnessed since 2011, defying more cautious expectations for the period.
The analysis pinpoints a clear shift in consumer behaviour as the driving force behind the growth. A sharp increase in evening and night-time visits, which jumped by 5.3% after 5pm, was crucial. This trend indicates that shopping is increasingly being combined with dining out, leisure activities, and social events, moving beyond simple transactional trips.
High Streets Lead the Way in Annual Growth
Breaking down the performance by location type, traditional high streets were the standout performers. They led the annual growth with a 2.0% increase in footfall, reinforcing their role as hubs for experience-led outings. Retail parks followed with a solid 1.2% rise, while shopping centres saw a more modest 0.1% growth.
This hierarchy further underscores the growing consumer appetite for trips that blend retail with other social experiences, a trend from which high streets with their mix of shops, bars, and restaurants are particularly well-placed to benefit.
Boxing Day Emerges as a Decade-High Social Event
The post-Christmas trading period provided the most dramatic evidence of this behavioural shift. Boxing Day emerged as the standout trading day of the season, recording its strongest footfall performance in ten years.
Across all retail destinations, visitor numbers on 26 December soared by 4.4% year-on-year. Remarkably, evening visits on Boxing Day surged by almost 10%. This powerful data underlines how post-Christmas trading is evolving from a purely sale-focused activity into a key social and experiential occasion.
Implications for the Retail Landscape
The MRI Software report paints a picture of a resilient UK retail environment adapting to new consumer habits. The strong finish to 2025, led by social evening visits and a booming Boxing Day, suggests that destinations offering a compelling mix of retail, hospitality, and leisure will continue to attract crowds.
For retailers and landlords, the findings highlight the importance of curating an appealing overall experience and considering extended trading hours to capture the valuable evening economy. The success of high streets, in particular, offers a positive sign for the vitality of town and city centres as communal spaces.
