Late shopper rush drives Boxing Day sale traffic
An Evening Surge in Shoppers Boosts Boxing Day Footfall to Decade-High Levels
According to data from MRI Software, an evening surge in shoppers eager for Boxing Day bargains led to a significant increase in footfall for the annual sales, reaching a decade-high of 4.4% across all UK retail destinations, including high streets and shopping centers, compared to the previous year.
Despite the surge in foot traffic, Barclays has forecasted that consumers would spend £1 billion less on this year’s Boxing Day deals. By 3 pm on December 26th, early MRI data indicated a muted response to the sales, with high street visits down 1.5% and shopping center visits down 0.6% compared to the previous year.
Retail analyst Jenni Matthews noted that as the day progressed, it became apparent that shoppers were choosing to venture out later in the day. The peak in activity was observed between 5 pm and 11 pm, with visits across all UK retail destinations averaging a 9.6% increase during this time frame.
With many stores not reopening until December 28th, Matthews suggested that hospitality and leisure venues would likely benefit from the surge in foot traffic. She expressed optimism that the retail sector could end the year positively despite the challenges faced earlier in the year.
On Saturday, footfall across retail destinations remained strong, with a 1.6% increase compared to the same day last year. Matthews anticipated that footfall would continue to rise in the coming days as shoppers take advantage of post-Christmas sales and prepare for New Year’s Eve festivities.
Overall, 2025 has been a challenging year for consumers, with rising prices and financial constraints impacting household budgets. Barclays’ consumer spend report indicated that fewer people planned to participate in the sales, with projected spending of £3.6 billion, down from £4.6 billion in the previous year.
Recent retail spending data from the Office for National Statistics also revealed that many shoppers resisted the temptation of November’s Black Friday sales, with only a marginal 0.1% increase in sales volumes. Despite these challenges, the surge in Boxing Day footfall offers a glimmer of hope for the retail sector as the year comes to a close.
