In-store traffic data from throughout the Black Friday weekend showed that, after a mixed start, footfall recovered and started to build, according to data from Sensormatic Solutions, the leading global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls.
The brand’s ShopperTrak Analytics data, which captures 40 billion store visits globally each year, showed that total UK footfall over the weekend was up compared to 2024 (+0.7%) – traffic on Sunday (30 Nov 2025) jumped +5% year-on-year and +13.2% week-on-week. Saturday (29 Nov 2025) saw lower levels of store visits compared to 2024 (-1.9%) but rose +19.4% against the week prior.
High Streets were the best performing retail destination across the weekend, with footfall rising +1.5% year-on-year across the two-days, followed by Retail Parks (+0.7%). On Sunday, High Streets also saw a significant boost to shopper counts versus 2024, rising +13.5%, while Shopping Centres also experienced a 2.8% increase.
“After a mixed start, the Black Friday weekend delivered a welcome boost to retailers, even amid consumer anxieties around tightening budgets and rising costs,” said Andy Sumpter, EMEA retail consultant at Sensormatic Solutions. “Despite these worries, UK shoppers showed up and have kicked off their Christmas planning – and purchasing – in earnest, leaning into the discounting and offers available across Black Friday to make sure their festive budgets work as hard as possible.”
Although Black Friday is behind us, some of the festive season’s busiest in-store shopping days are still ahead, according to Sensormatic Solutions predictions. Super Saturday (20 Dec 2025) is expected to be the busiest day for shopper counts, while the last full shopping day before Christmas (Tue, 23 Dec 2025) is tipped to be the third busiest day for footfall.
“The holiday rush is only beginning, and retailers still have time to make last-minute adjustments that can help capture conversions and drive performance,” said Sumpter. “And that means staying close to the data – from sales floors throughout their supply chains and into the market – while focusing on streamlining experiences and promotions. This work will not only help ensure they win share of wallet during the Peak Trading season but the year to come, as the majority of retailers who overperform in December carry that momentum into year ahead.”
