An evening surge in shoppers hunting for Boxing Day bargains drove UK retail footfall to its highest level in a decade, according to new industry data, offering a rare boost to high streets after a challenging year.
Figures from MRI Software show that footfall across all UK retail destinations rose by 4.4% on 26 December compared with the same day last year. The increase covered high streets, shopping centres and retail parks.
Early in the day, however, the sales appeared to have got off to a slow start. By 3pm, visits to high streets were down 1.5% year-on-year, while shopping centre footfall was 0.6% lower.
As the day progressed, shoppers began to arrive in much larger numbers. Retail analyst Jenni Matthews said it became clear that consumers had not abandoned the sales but were simply heading out later.
“The boost in activity was driven by a peak in visits across all UK retail destinations from 5pm to 11pm,” she said. During those hours, footfall averaged 9.6% above last year’s levels.
By contrast, footfall between 6am and 5pm rose by a more modest 3.1%. The shift suggests changing shopping habits, with consumers favouring evening trips over traditional early starts on Boxing Day.
MRI counts footfall at more than 660 retail locations nationwide, giving a broad snapshot of consumer behaviour. Analysts say the late surge may reflect family commitments earlier in the day.
With many large stores not reopening until 28 December, Matthews noted that hospitality and leisure venues were also likely beneficiaries of the increased foot traffic in town and city centres.
“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.
The momentum appeared to continue beyond Boxing Day itself. On Saturday, 27 December, footfall across UK retail destinations was up 1.6% compared with the same day last year, MRI data showed.
As family gatherings wind down and the new year approaches, MRI expects footfall to keep rising. Shoppers are likely to combine sales hunting with festive events and preparations for New Year’s Eve.
“Consumers will be shopping the sales, making the most of attractions within towns and cities, and stocking up on New Year’s Eve essentials,” Matthews said.
Despite the encouraging footfall figures, analysts warn that higher visitor numbers do not necessarily mean higher spending. Many households remain under pressure from rising prices and stretched budgets.
Barclays has forecast that consumers will spend £1bn less on this year’s Boxing Day deals than last year. Its consumer spend report predicts total sales of £3.6bn, down from £4.6bn previously.
The bank also suggested that fewer people planned to take advantage of seasonal discounts, reflecting ongoing caution amid broader economic uncertainty.
Official data supports the view that shoppers are becoming more selective. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that November’s Black Friday sales delivered only a 0.1% increase in sales volumes.
That muted response raised concerns for retailers hoping heavy discounting would unlock pent-up demand ahead of Christmas.
Analysts say the contrast between strong footfall and weaker spending highlights a shift in consumer behaviour. Shoppers are visiting stores but spending more time comparing prices and delaying purchases.
For retailers, the late-day Boxing Day surge offers some encouragement as they head into the final days of the festive period. Whether footfall converts into meaningful revenue remains the key question.
As the new year approaches, the sector will be watching closely to see if rising visitor numbers can offset tighter household budgets and deliver a stronger-than-expected end to the trading year.
