Retail footfall across the UK was relatively flat in the week leading up to Easter, but increased consumer activity helped it surpass 2024.
According to data from MRI Software, high streets reported a modest drop in footfall, offset by retail parks and shipping centres, which both experienced a rise, as shoppers geared up for Easter.
Footfall across all retail destinations was up 11.8% compared to the same week in 2024. High street footfall jumped 15.7% year on year, retail parks jumped 8.1% and shopping centres increased 7.1%.
Central London footfall levels were 25.8% higher than in the same period in 2024, which MRI said was down to Easter holiday-makers.
Scotland reported the largest week-on-week decline in footfall during the period of 6.6%, while the south east of England saw a modest increase of 2.2%.
Coastal and market towns experienced a decrease in footfall, with drops of 6.7% and 4.7%, respectively.
On a year-on-year basis, both historic and market towns reported a jump in footfall – 11.7% and 10%, respectively.
This comes after GlobalData previously predicted that UK shoppers would spend £2.3bn over the Easter Weekend, and said that 40% of consumers were planning on spending more this year than in 2024.
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