Retail footfall figures for Boxing Day 2024 revealed a -4.9% drop across all UK retail destinations compared to Boxing Day last year. This contrasts with last year when footfall on Boxing Day was +4% higher than the year before with much of this led by high street activity (+8.6%).
The decline in Boxing Day activity may reflect a shift in consumer behaviour, influenced by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. With footfall levels +18.1% higher in all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared to Christmas Eve last year, suggesting that many shoppers concentrated much of their spending in a pre-Christmas rush. Additionally, the growing presence of online shopping continues to reshape spending habits; many retailers kicked off their Boxing Day sales online last night (Christmas Day) providing shoppers with the opportunity to grab early bargains from the comfort of their own home. This is further supported by MRI Software’s Consumer Pulse Report which identified that 53% of shoppers planned to complete at least half of their Christmas shopping online; a trend which may well continue into the period between Christmas and New Year.
However, with many key stores remaining closed yesterday – John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Next and Aldi – and many people still visiting families today we anticipate the year-on-year uplift in footfall to be stronger from today (27th December) onwards as shoppers emerge from their post-Christmas slumber looking to replenish their groceries and see what Boxing Day bargains are available.
Historical data from MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index highlights that footfall in the week following final week of the year tends to witness a week on week drop averaging -20% which is to be expected given the significant boost observed in the week prior as shoppers prepared for Christmas.
| 26th December 2024 – FULL DAY | |||
| Week on Week % change | Year on year % change vs 26th Dec 2023 | % change from 2019 vs 26th Dec 2019 | |
| All UK Destinations | -39.6% | -4.9% | -20.8% |
| UK high streets | -34.6% | -6.2% | -13.3% |
| UK retail parks | -50.5% | -2.9% | -26.6% |
| UK Shopping Centres | -39.5% | -4.2% | -30.4% |
| 26th December 2024 – FULL DAY | |||
| Week on Week % change | Year on year % change vs 26th Dec 2023 | % change from 2019 vs 26th Dec 2019 | |
| Back to Office – Central London | -41.1% | -7.2% | 12.5% |
| Central London | -19.1% | -8.0% | -13.6% |
| Coastal Town | -35.5% | -15.5% | -7.8% |
| Historic Town | -46.5% | -9.2% | -12.7% |
| Market Towns | -46.4% | -4.6% | -20.4% |
| Outer London | -26.2% | -2.0% | 6.6% |
| Regional City | -21.0% | -3.8% | -13.7% |
| Regional City Excl London | -34.0% | 2.4% | -14.0% |
| 26th December 2024 – FULL DAY | |||
| Week on Week % change | Year on year % change vs 26th Dec 2023 | % change from 2019 vs 26th Dec 2019 | |
| East | -49.7% | -7.5% | -21.5% |
| East Midlands | -39.7% | -8.9% | -28.9% |
| Greater London | -25.4% | -2.1% | -14.4% |
| North & Yorkshire | -41.1% | -2.4% | -24.9% |
| Scotland | -46.5% | -7.3% | -33.1% |
| South East | -45.6% | -3.8% | -9.6% |
| South West | -55.8% | -4.8% | -15.1% |
| Wales | -51.1% | -12.5% | -31.5% |
| West Midlands | -38.9% | -6.7% | -25.3% |
