November's Retail Footfall Shows Cautious Optimism

• Retail footfall shows cautious optimism in November as Black Friday momentum builds, despite annual declines 

Retail footfall fell marginally by -1.3% in November 2025 compared to last year in all UK retail destinations driven by a -2% drop in high street activity. Retail parks and shopping centres also witnessed a decline in visits however it was much more marginal at -0.1% and -1.2%, respectively.

This is the third consecutive month where footfall has dipped year on year but also aligns with historical trends typically seen for November suggesting that shoppers may be attracted to the online draw of ‘Black November’ and the high volume of online sales taking place. This trend also complements findings from MRI Software’s recent Consumer Pulse survey, in partnership with Retail Economics, where 43% of consumers surveyed stated they would shop online on Black Friday this year.

Month on month, retail footfall rose by +0.6% in November driven by a +2.8% increase in retail park visits and a +1.5% uplift in shopping centre activity. High streets, however, saw a marginal drop of -0.8%, likely driven by the lull in the first week of the month following the return to schools and offices post half-term.

MRI Software’s latest footfall insights reveal a month of mixed trend for UK retail in November, blending two strong weeks of pre–Black Friday momentum with a continuation of longer-term annual decline as consumers balance bargain-hunting with budget pressures. 

Footfall across all UK retail destinations fell -1.3% year-on-year in November, marking the third consecutive month of annual decline. High streets saw the steepest drop (-2.0%), while retail parks (-0.1%) and shopping centres (-1.2%) experienced softer dips. 

This annual slowdown is not unexpected for November, historically shaped by the online dominance of “Black November.” MRI Software’s latest Consumer Pulse Survey, in partnership with Retail Economics, found 43% of consumers intended to shop online on Black Friday, reflecting the growing shift toward digital deal-hunting. 

Despite this caution, month-on-month performance offered a brighter picture. Overall footfall rose +0.6%, driven by a +2.8% jump in retail parks and +1.5% in shopping centres. High streets saw only a marginal decline (-0.8%), in part due to quieter trends earlier in the month following the return to school and office routines post half-term. 

However, the evening economy continued to thrive on Black Friday itself. Between 5pm and 8pm, footfall surged +29.2% in historic towns week-on-week as shoppers blended bargain-hunting with festive evenings out. High streets stood out, delivering +3.9% year-on-year growth during this window, in contrast with year-on-year declines in retail parks (-3.2%) and shopping centres (-4.3%). MRI Software’s Central London Back to Office benchmark also recorded a notable uplift, with footfall up +11.5% year-on-year and +16.7% week-on-week between 5pm and 11pm, signalling the early arrival of festive celebrations. 

Despite the optimistic growth week-on-week, overall footfall for Black Friday week remained -2.2% lower year-on-year, and the day itself was -1.9% lower than Black Friday 2024; a sign that cost-of-living pressures may well still be influencing how and when people choose to shop. This aligns with wider spending patterns with Barclays reporting that transactions on 28 November hit a 2025 record, up 62% on the daily average, meaning shoppers are still spending, but in a more targeted, value-driven way. 

Shoppers are clearly embracing the start of the festive season, but they’re doing so cautiously. While week-on-week momentum is strong, the annual dips reflect how carefully households are planning their spending this year. The next question is whether December’s trading window, particularly the five days before Christmas, can convert this activity into meaningful sales? Historically, footfall tends to surge from 22nd December onwards, so the opportunity still remains for retailers to maximise on the Golden Quarter. 

MRI Software’s historic footfall data shows that the 22nd to 24th of December consistently deliver some of the highest footfall of the entire year, and with the absence of trading restrictions retailers can capitalise on those sales opportunities that may occur late in the day especially on Christmas Eve. Festive markets, experience-led initiatives and extended evening trading will all play a role in pulling customers in-store. 

Encouragingly, MRI’s latest Consumer Pulse survey suggests strong intent; 44% of consumers say they plan to hit high streets from Boxing Day onwards, with 29% heading to retail parks and 22% expecting to visit major shopping centres. If this intent converts, December could help rebalance the more cautious trends seen earlier in the Golden Quarter. Retailers who leverage data-driven insights will be able to adapt quickly to changing shopping patterns, maximise experience-first consumer touchpoints and streamline operations across their real estate portfolio.

Source : MRI Software

Image : Shutterstock / 731488546 / ComicSans

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