MRI Software: Strong Boxing Day Footfall Performance

Footfall data from retail tech experts MRI Software shows strong performance for UK retail destinations on Boxing Day with footfall up +4.4% year on year across the board; the strongest increase seen in over 10 years. 

Retail parks led the charge with an 8.8% uplift, but as the day progressed, footfall was up in high streets (+3.6%) and shopping centres (+2.1%).

Insights and commentary from Jenni Matthews, Data Analyst at MRI Software, follow:

Jenni Matthews, retail analyst at MRI Software, comments: 

Despite a slow start for high streets and shopping centres, Boxing Day proved to be a bumper day for all UK retail destinations with footfall up 4.4% year on year across the board; the strongest increase seen in over 10 years. 

Retail parks led the charge with an 8.8% uplift but as the day progressed, it was clear to see shoppers out across all UK retail destination types with footfall up in high streets (+3.6%) and shopping centres (+2.1%) suggesting people were keen to clear off those festive cobwebs much earlier than usual. The boost in activity was driven by a peak in visits across all UK retail destinations from 5pm - 11pm averaging +9.6% versus an average increase of +3.1% from 6am-5pm. With a number of stores still shut and not reopening until today, it’s likely that leisure and hospitality establishments may well have benefited from the annual uplift. This is an early indicator that the retail sector may well end the year on a positive note given the challenging times faced at the beginning of the year.

Source : MRI Software

Image : IR_Stone / iStock / 1355828207

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