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Industry analysts said Boxing Day was a “bumper day” for all UK retail destinations, with figures showing shopper footfall was up 4.4% on last year, the strongest increase in more than a decade.
The retail sector is likely to end the year on a “positive note” as shoppers flock to high streets, retail parks and shopping centers on December 26.
Since shops are closed on Christmas Day, people usually go out of their homes to bargain on Boxing Day.
While footfall in high streets and shopping centers starts slowly, UK retail destinations see a “peak” between 5pm and 11pm, said retail analyst MRI Software, which counts footfall via cameras 24/7 at more than 660 retail destinations across the UK.
Footfall on high streets increased by 3.6% on Boxing Day last year, while footfall in retail parks increased by 8.8%.
On December 26, 2024, shopping center traffic increased by 2.1%.
Jenni Matthews, retail analyst at MRI Software, told the Press Association: “We do see a slow start in high streets and shopping centres.
“Retail parks have seen growth early on, which may reflect the types of shops opening in those locations – so supermarkets, some are open and some are not.
“The fact that most of the rise is in the evening suggests that people may be out engaging in leisure activities or eating out, or taking advantage of the events and attractions that are still taking place in some towns across the UK.”
Although companies like Sainsbury’s and Tesco Marks and Spencer, Aldi and Liddell These include closures.
Ms Matthews said footfall increased by 4.4 per cent last year, “the strongest growth in more than a decade”.
She said footfall in the UK was “slowly increasing” in the run-up to Christmas, but saw a “significant increase” on December 24, suggesting some shoppers may be “leaving their shopping to the last minute”.
The analyst said many people do their Christmas shopping in early November.
The increase in Boxing Day activity was said to be driven by a “peak visit” to all UK retail destinations between 5pm and 11pm, with an average increase of 9.6% on last year.
This compares with an average increase of 3.1% between 6am and 5pm on Boxing Day 2024.
Ms Matthews said footfall in coastal towns increased by 16.1 per cent, which could be due to events such as markets held on the high streets.
“This may be event driven as we know many stores were still closed yesterday,” Ms Matthews added.
Ms Matthews said overall December 26 was “a great day for all UK retail destinations”.
She added: “With many shops remaining closed and only reopening today, the leisure and hospitality sector is likely to benefit from annual economic growth.”
“This is an early sign that the retail sector is likely to end the year on a positive note given the challenging times it faced at the start of the year.”