Virgin Media O2 Business’ latest Movers Index reveals an 8 per cent year-on-year drop in retail visits for the first three months of the year, as 55 per cent of retailers hope for a bank holiday boost with Brits taking annual leave en masse.
The quarterly Movers Index, now in its third year, is based on combining anonymised and aggregated UK movement data from O2 Motion* with national polling findings to reveal key behavioural trends. The combined data paints an accurate picture of movement patterns and the trends influencing them.
Half of workers subject to full time office mandates by June
Office attendance has continued to climb in early 2025, as over half (52 per cent) of British employees going in more frequently. Mobile data shows the first few months of the year were marked by a 5 per cent increase in commuting trips, and a 1 per cent increase from the same time last year. Wednesday remains the most popular day of the week (77 per cent) to go to the office. 38 per cent of workers now commute five days a week, and by June, a further 16 per cent of employers will require full-time office attendance, potentially bringing the total number of UK businesses with five-day mandates to 43 per cent.
Prepared for the return, most workers (65 per cent) view return-to-office mandates positively, helped by a boost in perks and workplace culture. One in three (33 per cent) have noticed more perks in recent months including regular socials, which have become more important to 32 per cent. Outside of work socials, Brits are looking to make the most of their “five-to-nine”, with 77 per cent planning to shop in-store after work at least once a week, and 66 per cent planning to catch up with friends and family.
Retailers hope for bank holiday boost
After a tough start to 2025, marked by a 41 per cent year-on-year rise in retailers reporting reduced customer spending and an 8 per cent drop in high street and shopping centre footfall compared to the same time last year, many are hoping the May bank holidays will provide a much-needed boost. Last year the spring and summer months saw trips to retail areas rise by 5 per cent to highstreets and 4 per cent to shopping centres from Q1 to Q2, fuelling optimism of a repeat retail rebound.
With 22 million* (64 per cent) British workers planning to take annual leave, 55 per cent of retailers are planning changes including special deals / discounts (42 per cent) and special events and activities (28 per cent) to attract customers and maximise footfall. However, with nearly half (47 per cent) of Brits planning domestic holidays this year, 52 per cent of retailers are worried about staff holidays, as 42 per cent have already blocked annual leave over the period.
Spring spending cut back
Sheltering from the winter weather in the first three months of 2025, budget-savvy Brits turned to online (69 per cent) and phone (69 per cent) shopping in search of discounts and low-price items. This is set to continue over the next three months as almost half (45 per cent) of Brits expect to send less, and 41 per cent actively look for ways to cut unnecessary spending. Mobile data shows middle-age groups are driving this fall with drops of 15 per cent (25-34 year olds), 4 per cent (35-44 year olds), and 11 per cent (45-54 year olds) in trips to retail areas compared to the same time last year.
Nearly half (46 per cent) have cancelled at least one subscription, rising to 80 per cent of 18-24-year-olds, impacting the 60 per cent of businesses offering this shopping model. With shoppers focusing their spending on holidays and trips (25 per cent), wellness and self-care (18 per cent), and home renovations and improvements (16 per cent), there may be greater opportunity for subscription services linked to these areas.
Meanwhile, Brits are also focused on where they’re spending their hard-earned cash, with supporting the high street important to 56 per cent of consumers. For these shoppers, in-store experience matters: self-service checkouts (28 per cent), high speed Wi-Fi (25 per cent) and good mobile connectivity (22 per cent) continue to rank among the most important technologies for shoppers.
Jessica O’Connor, Director of Product at Virgin Media O2 Business, said: “The latest Virgin Media O2 Business Movers Index shows a first glimpse into key trends shaping 2025 – office life is continuing to make a comeback and retail is adapting for resilience. With half of workers commuting more often and full-time office mandates rising, O2 Motion data indicates a shift in how people use city spaces.
“For retailers, the upcoming bank holidays present a golden opportunity to boost sales after a tough start to the year. A seamless in-store experience – fast checkouts, good WiFi, and personalised offers – will be key to attracting footfall and driving engagement. As shoppers remain budget conscious, brands that adapt to consumer needs will be best placed to capture spring spending.”
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