Boxing Day sales across the UK began on a subdued note, with fewer shoppers visiting high streets and shopping centres as consumers continued to favour online deals over in-person browsing. New figures underline how the traditional post-Christmas rush is steadily losing its prominence.
Data from MRI Software showed that by mid-afternoon, visits to UK high streets were down 1.5% compared with last year. Shopping centres also recorded a decline, with footfall falling by 0.6% over the same period.
Retail parks were the only bright spot, attracting 6.7% more visitors than in 2024. However, the increase was not large enough to offset declines elsewhere or generate a significant overall rise in shopper numbers nationwide.
Barclays forecasts that consumers will spend £3.6 billion during the Boxing Day sales, a sharp drop from the £4.6 billion predicted last year. Fewer shoppers are expected to hunt for bargains, reflecting tighter household budgets and shifting spending habits.
While those who do plan to shop have increased their individual budgets by an average of £17, overall spending is still projected to be lower. Analysts say this highlights how fewer people are participating in the sales, even if some are willing to spend slightly more.
Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said shoppers have remained cost-conscious throughout the year. That cautious mindset, she noted, has carried through into the festive sales period.
Despite lower footfall, some shoppers welcomed the calmer atmosphere. A Glasgow shopper told the BBC that the quieter streets made Boxing Day shopping more enjoyable and less stressful than in previous years.
Others said tradition was their main motivation for heading out. One shopper remarked that although it felt noticeably quieter, certain stores still attracted queues, showing that demand remains selective rather than widespread.
Several major retailers, including Next, John Lewis, Poundland, Wickes and Iceland, chose to keep stores closed on Boxing Day. Their absence further reduced high street activity and reflected a growing shift toward online-first strategies.
Retail analysts say 2025 has been a challenging year for consumers, marked by inflation, tax concerns and economic uncertainty. Diane Wehrle of Rendle Intelligence and Insights said many shoppers pulled back on spending even before Christmas.
With extended discounting before December and the continued growth of online shopping, experts argue that Boxing Day sales are no longer the retail event they once were. For many, convenience now outweighs tradition.
