Footfall rose for the fourth consecutive week in all UK retail destinations last week when compared to the week prior as half term set in across the UK. High streets experienced the strongest week-on-week increase, followed by shopping centres, whereas retail parks saw only a marginal uplift. Annual footfall levels also remained higher across the board, though the shift in timings of this year’s half term may have influenced these trends.
Footfall rose daily in all UK retail destinations aside from Friday, which coincided with a change in weather conditions. High streets and shopping centres saw double-digit rises compared to the week before on three out of the seven days, suggesting shoppers were out in full force making the most of the half term activities.
Central London witnessed the strongest week-on-week and year-on-year rises, followed by historic and coastal towns, suggesting day trips or holidays by the coast were popular, especially as much of the week saw mild weather conditions. MRI Software’s Central London ‘Back to Office’ benchmark also revealed strong trends week on week; however, much of this may also have been driven by visitors to the capital during half term. Aside from Scotland, all regions reported positive trends, with Greater London and the East of England seeing double-digit rises compared to the week before.
Overall, footfall rose by +8.2 per cent last week in all UK retail destinations from the week before; high streets led the charge with an +11.6 per cent uplift, followed by shopping centres (+9 per cent); however, retail parks saw only a marginal uplift of 0.1 per cent. This may well align with the strong rises seen in coastal (+12.6 per cent) and historic towns (+15.8 per cent) as well as Central London (+16.2 per cent,) suggesting day trips to these town types were popular.
Footfall rose each day compared the week before, apart from Friday when it fell by -4.6 per cent coinciding with a turn in the weather. Monday and Tuesday were the strongest days with an average rise of +20.9 per cent recorded in all UK retail destinations; this was much higher in high streets and shopping centres at +25.5 per cent and +22.3 per cent, respectively.
Regionally, the East of England (+11.3 per cent) and Greater London (+12.9 per cent) were the clear winners with double-digit rises recorded week on week. Scotland, however, saw footfall decline by -4.4 per cent last week from the week before and by -1.1 per cent from 2024 levels.
With the school holidays shifting this year, retail footfall remained +5.6 per cent higher in all UK retail destinations driven by shopping centres (+8.1 per cent) and followed by high streets (+5.6 per cent) and retail parks (+3 per cent).
Week 8 – MON-SUN
Footfall rose for the fourth consecutive week in all UK retail destinations last week when compared to the week prior as half term set in across the UK. High streets drove much of this, experiencing the strongest week-on-week increase followed by shopping centres; however, retail parks saw a marginal decline. Annual footfall levels also remained higher across the board, though the shift in timings of this year’s half term may have influenced these trends.
Footfall rose daily in all UK retail destinations aside from Friday which coincided with a change in weather conditions. High streets and shopping centres saw double-digit rises compared to the week before on three out of the seven days, suggesting shoppers were out in full force making the most of the half term activities.
Central London witnessed the strongest week-on-week and year-on-year rises, followed by historic and coastal towns, suggesting day trips or holidays by the coast were popular, especially as much of the week saw mild weather conditions. MRI Software’s Central London ‘Back to Office’ benchmark also revealed strong trends week on wee;k however, much of this may also have been driven by visitors to the capital during half term. Aside from Scotland, all regions reported positive trends, with Greater London and the East of England seeing double-digit rises compared to the week before.
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