Boxing Day retail footfall up 4% on 2022, analysis shows

Boxing Day shopper footfall was up 4% across all UK retail destinations, boosted by visits to high streets and central London, new data reveals.

According to MRI software, high streets enjoyed an 8.8% increase in shoppers compared to last Boxing Day, while central London saw footfall up 10.6% compared with 2022 and a 1.6% increase on pre-pandemic levels.

Week on week, footfall was 33% lower across all destinations – high streets, retail parks and shopping centres.

Compared to 2019, footfall remained 14.9% lower, indicating a continued impact from the rise of online shopping, the close proximity of Black Friday deterring further spending and the potential restrictions of the cost-of-living crisis.

Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, said: "It was encouraging to see Boxing Day footfall rise year on year by 4% across all UK retail destinations, which was largely driven by high streets.

"The footfall drop of 33% week on week across all destination types is not surprising given that last week consumers were finalising their festive shopping. The fact that compared to 2019 levels, footfall remains 14.9% down indicates the long-term impacts of the continued rise of online shopping, as many consumers may have started their sale shopping on Christmas Day evening, and with Black Friday only a few weeks ago many will have grabbed their bargains back then."

London’s West End confirmed a “bumper” Boxing Day, with footfall up 5% on 2022.

Business group the New West End Company said the district had been buoyant across December, with footfall up 20% on November and 6% on last December, driven by international shoppers.

New West End Company CEO Dee Corsi said: "The vibrancy of the district at Christmastime is a reflection of the West End’s reputation as a world-class retail and leisure destination.

"More than just shopping, many flock here to enjoy all that the area has to offer across the festive season – little wonder then that we have had a busy December, rounded off with a bumper Boxing Day to set the West End up for a positive start to 2024.

"However, we cannot afford to ignore that it is international visitors driving our recovery this winter, particularly on Boxing Day. The cost-of-living crisis is squeezing domestic spending and dampening consumer confidence. It is imperative that the Government heeds calls for an independent review of tax-free shopping to put us back on a level playing field with continental Europe."