Boxing Day footfall reaches highest level in a decade

Evening visits were up almost 10%, suggesting that post-Christmas trading is moving away from purely transactional shopping towards social and experiential activity, according to research by retail tech experts MRI Software.

Overall, December footfall inched up 1.3% year on year – the strongest annual uplift since 2011 – and rose by 5.1% month on month.

High streets led the annual growth, recording a 2% increase, followed by retail parks (1.2%) and shopping centres (0.1%).

The festive boost was driven by a sharp rise in evening and night-time visits – rising 5.3% after 5pm – as shoppers increasingly blended store runs with eating out, leisure activities and socialising, the insight suggested. 

Christmas Eve emerged as the core day for pre-Christmas shopping, with footfall up 1.4% year on year in all UK retail destinations.

“December’s performance is a clear reminder that bricks-and-mortar retail remains highly relevant when shoppers are given a compelling reason to visit,” said MRI retail analyst Jenni Matthews.

“What stood out in December was not just the uplift in footfall month on month and year on year, but the shift in consumer preferences leaning more towards evening visits and experience-led trips, particularly around key calendar dates including Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

“Access to real-time data and insights provides retailers with the leverage to better respond to the shifts in consumer behaviour, rather than relying purely on historic trading patterns.” 

Despite the welcome boost, retailers remain cautious about the weeks ahead.

As many as 76% of 700 store managers surveyed by the tech business expect January sales to be lower than last year, reflecting the ongoing pressure on consumer spending despite improved footfall.

This follows a festive period in which 64% of retailers reported lower sales in the week leading up to Christmas, despite stronger footfall across many retail destinations.