UK Boxing Day footfall surges 4.4% after slow morning start

Boxing Day initially appeared headed for disappointment. Early data from MRI Software showed footfall declining across UK high streets and shopping centers, with central London recording a 7.7 percent drop by 1 pm compared to Boxing Day 2024, according to The Guardian. The BBC reported that by 3 pm, there had been a muted reaction to the sales, with high street visits down 1.5 percent and shopping center visits down 0.6 percent compared to 2024.

However, the day’s narrative shifted dramatically as shoppers emerged in force during the evening. Between 5 pm and 11 pm, footfall across all UK retail destinations surged by an average of 9.6 percent, compared with just 3.1 percent growth from 6 am to 5 pm. Jenni Matthews, Retail Analyst at MRI Software, noted the turnaround: “As the day progressed, it became clear that shoppers were deciding to head out but just a bit later in the day.”

By day’s end, footfall was up 4.4 percent across all UK retail destinations including high streets and shopping centers – the strongest increase seen in over ten years. Footfall also remained strong on Saturday, up 1.6 percent compared to Dec. 27 last year.

Retail parks lead recovery with near 7% growth

Retail parks emerged as the day’s clear winners, recording a 6.9 percent uplift in footfall on Boxing Day morning, according to The Guardian. High streets saw 2.4 percent fewer visitors than on Dec. 26 last year in the morning hours, while shopping centers experienced a 2.6 percent decline.

Regional patterns revealed interesting dynamics. Coastal towns saw footfall jump 10 percent, likely as consumers hoped to combine shopping with a day out. Outer London areas saw a near 4 percent increase, while central London experienced the steepest decline at 7.7 percent year-on-year – a much larger drop than the 3.4 percent fall recorded in other cities.

Matthews suggested retail parks’ success reflected their convenience: “This suggests that shoppers may well be coming out earlier than expected to grab those bargains, brush off the festive cobwebs.” Retail parks, mostly in out-of-town locations accessible by car with free parking, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Colder temperatures may have deterred some would-be shoppers from travelling far from home, particularly affecting central London’s footfall.

Leisure and hospitality benefit from store closures

The strong evening performance occurred despite many major retailers remaining closed on Dec. 26. Marks & Spencer, Next and other major chains kept stores shuttered to give staff an extra day off – a practice that has become increasingly common since the COVID-19 pandemic.

With many stores not reopening until Dec. 28, Matthews said it was likely that hospitality and leisure venues benefited from the increase in foot traffic. “This is an early indicator that the retail sector may well end the year on a positive note given the challenging times faced at the beginning of the year,” she said.

Matthews predicted the momentum would continue into the new year. With family gatherings ending and the new year looming, MRI anticipates footfall will continue to rise over the coming days. “Consumers [will be] likely shopping the sales, making the most of the festive events and attractions within towns and cities, and stocking up on New Year’s Eve essentials, keeping the festive retail period firmly in motion,” she said.

Economic pressures reshape consumer spending

Boxing Day 2025 unfolded against a backdrop of economic uncertainty. Barclays forecast that consumers would spend £3.6 billion on Boxing Day deals, down from £4.6 billion last year. The bank suggested fewer people planned to take advantage of the sales this year. Analysts say 2025 has been a challenging year for people as rising prices and other factors have squeezed household finances.

Recent retail spending data from the Office for National Statistics showed that many shoppers resisted the lure of November’s Black Friday sales, with only a 0.1 percent lift in sales volumes. Higher footfall does not necessarily translate into higher spending, as the BBC noted, meaning the strong visitor numbers may not fully reflect retail revenue performance.

The changing face of Boxing Day shopping

The traditional Boxing Day sales rush has increasingly shifted online in recent years, with major retailers launching discounts as early as Christmas Day. Retailers including Marks & Spencer and Next now offer discounts up to 50 percent online while delaying in-store sales until Dec. 27.

Large fashion and homeware retailers are giving consumers the opportunity to secure deals from the comfort of the sofa. Despite this shift to online shopping, groups of shoppers still travelled to physical destinations like Manchester’s Trafford Centre indoor mall, where some outlets opened their doors as early as 7:30 am on Boxing Day. Queues gathered outside the Selfridges department store before opening, which was offering reductions up to 50 percent, as was cosmetics retailer Lush.

In the run-up to Boxing Day, retailers had been hoping for a late rush to buy presents, given that Christmas Day fell on a Thursday this year, anticipating that shoppers would hunt out last-minute items at the start of the week. The rise in evening shopping reflects changing consumer behavior, with Boxing Day increasingly viewed as a full-day occasion combining retail, dining and entertainment rather than a singular morning shopping event focused on securing the best bargains before they sell out.

About MRI Software

MRI Software is a retail technology specialist that monitors footfall in more than 660 retail locations across the UK through camera systems operating 24/7. The company provides real-time analytics on shopper traffic patterns to help retailers understand consumer behavior. Jenni Matthews serves as Retail Analyst and Marketing and Insights Director at the company.