MRI: England-Mexico Game Provides Significant Footfall Boost

England's World Cup victory over Mexico in the early hours of this morning delivered a significant boost for UK high streets, according to the latest footfall data from MRI Software. 

Between midnight and 6am on Monday, footfall across UK high streets increased by +143.6% year on year, as supporters headed out to watch the Three Lions progress to the quarter-finals.

The strongest overnight increases were recorded in regional cities (excluding London) at +188.3%, with market towns (+175.5%), and historic towns (+159.9%) also seeing a significant surge. 

The figures suggest supporters largely chose to celebrate close to home, with pubs, bars, and local hospitality venues benefiting from the overnight activity.

Jenni Matthews, Retail Analyst at MRI Software, said:  

England’s victory over Mexico in the early hours of this morning gave UK high streets a real boost, with footfall rising +143.6% year on year between midnight and 6am as fans headed out to cheer on the Three Lions. Market towns (+175.5%) and historic towns (+159.9%) were the star players, suggesting supporters opted to stay local and soak up the atmosphere in nearby pubs, bars and community venues. 

For the hospitality sector, this is exactly the kind of result they’ll have been hoping for. At a time when consumers remain selective about where they spend, the World Cup is proving to be a powerful footfall driver, creating a welcome boost for the night-time, and local economy.

As England prepares for its next game, we expect these uplifts to gather momentum, especially as they enter the quarter finals. For retailers and operators, the game plan is clear: align staffing, promotions and trading hours with key matches to make the most of the increased footfall, longer dwell times and celebratory spending that major sporting moments can bring. 

Source : MRI Software 

Image : Freer / shutterstock / 2657999637

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