Retail destinations across the UK experienced a significant surge in footfall on Boxing Day, as data from MRI reveals a decade-high increase in shopper activity. So when, for the first time in decades, foot traffic started to go up again, it’s an increase of 4.4% over the same day last year. High streets and shopping malls saw a big jump in visits. Early afternoon visits were down, slightly defying trends of years past.
Retail analyst Jenni Matthews noted that retail locales experienced a 1.6% increase in foot traffic on Saturday. This increase has been achieved in comparison with the same date, 27 December, last year. The story of 2025 surging inflation and the ending of pandemic-era financial assistance hit many households hard. Still, a wave of consumers rushed to stores for after-Christmas discounts.
On Boxing Day, most of the high street retailers decided to stay closed until 28 December. This decision probably increased the pool of night owls thronged with Black Friday bargain-hunters. Matthews wrote that those peak shopping hours from 5 PM to 11 PM saw an astounding average increase of 9.6% in visits during peak hours. By comparison, the workday hours from 6 AM to 5 PM experienced just a slight increase of 3.1%.
“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,” – Jenni Matthews
This increasingly positive trend in footfall is particularly timely considering the cost of living means many households are experiencing unprecedented financial pressure this year. The empirical evidence supports that hospitality and leisure destinations were big winners to the increased foot traffic during this hectic shopping season.
Matthews anticipates foot traffic will pick up exponentially over the next few days. Online shoppers will be primed to capitalize on these sales offers that never seem to end.
“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,” – Jenni Matthews
By 3 PM on Boxing Day, footfall on the high street was showing a -1.5% on 2024 levels. At the same time, visits to regional malls fell by 0.6%. Bicycling activity saw a drop at first, before the nighttime return surge. This revenue boom resulted in throngs of excited deal-seekers flocking to shops.
MRI tracks footfall in more than 660 retail outlets around the UK. They’re hoping that all the shopping momentum that pushed them through Christmas will carry them into the new year. The surge in Boxing Day footfall indicates a resilient consumer base ready to engage with retail offerings despite economic uncertainties.