The latest insights from retail analysts MRI Software (previously Springboard) show that consumers are still shopping for final festive gifts and food items, as footfall (up to 12pm) has increased by +5.0% compared to the week previous. The jump follows ‘Super Saturday’ yesterday, which saw high street footfall surge, as Christmas celebrations and last minute shopping continued through the weekend.
Today’s surge in footfall has been primarily driven by grocery shopping, which has seen consumers favour retail parks and shopping centres, where shoppers can make the most of large car parks and a variety of stores in one location. Footfall at retail parks increased by +20.9% against last week and is up +16.8% at shopping centres, with shoppers out in force before stores close for Christmas.
Christmas Eve follows a strong period of trading for retailers. ‘Super Saturday’ saw footfall across UK high streets climb by +11.3% on 2022 levels, with consumers finalising festive shopping throughout the weekend. Footfall on Friday was up by +18.7% across all UK retail destinations compared to the week previous, as retail’s Golden Quarter finishes strongly.
Market towns have seen footfall surge +10.7%, compared to the week previous, suggesting that consumers have stayed local on Christmas Eve. In comparison, footfall in regional cities (excluding London) dropped -32.4% with a similar fall experienced in Central London (-28.3%). Coastal towns have also seen strong performance today, with footfall increasing by +25.0%.
Footfall on Christmas Eve is down from 2022 levels, with a decline of -30.3% across all UK retail destinations compared to last year. The fall is largely due to Christmas Eve falling on a Saturday last year – making for a noticeably strong day of trading. This year, many stores and destinations are adopting normal Sunday trading hours, suggesting a more subdued Christmas Eve than is typically expected for traders.
Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, comments: “Footfall is +5% higher across all UK retail destinations compared with last Sunday with much of this driven by retail parks and shopping centres. This suggests today will primarily be used to grab those last-minute groceries and gifts before the shops are set to close for two days in some cases.
It’s worth noting that footfall is lower than normal for Christmas Eve. Last year Christmas Eve was on Saturday whereas this year it falls on a Sunday, and many stores and destinations are adhering to normal Sunday trading hours (10am – 4pm).”
