Footfall rebounds in February after slow start to the year

New data from MRI Software showed that across all retail destinations, footfall jumped 9.4% in February compared to the previous month. This was well ahead of February 2025, where footfall was marred by heavy storms and travel disruptions.

Despite the monthly improvement, the data still showed a difference between weekday and weekend footfall and around the month’s seasonal events, which MRI said showed that shopping trips are becoming more targeted and concentrated around specific occasions.

Weekend visits during the period increased 1.9% year-on-year, while weekday footfall declined 2.7%.

Retail parks were the strongest performing retail destination during the period, being the only format to registered year-on-year growth – up 0.5%.

Seasonal events in the period drove a significant uplift in footfall, with high streets experiencing a 9.4% bounce in the lead up to the February half-term break, with consumers preparing for the holiday and for Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day itself drove a 23.9% year-on-year jump in footfall in the period.

MRI said retailers will be looking ahead to Mother’s Day in mid-March and Easter in April, with both expected to drive a surge in shopper footfall.

However, it noted that escalating tensions in the Middle East will raise concerns about potential impacts on consumer confidence and tourism.