What: UK retail footfall rose sharply in the final days before Christmas, with high streets and supermarkets benefiting from last-minute shopping, while shopping centres continued to see year-on-year declines.

Why it is important: The shift in footfall reflects changing consumer priorities, as shoppers seek convenience, deals, and engaging experiences, prompting retailers to innovate in both format and promotions.

In the lead-up to Christmas 2025, UK retail saw a pronounced surge in last-minute shopping, with high streets and supermarkets experiencing significant increases in footfall, even as shopping centres faced ongoing year-on-year declines. Data from MRI Software showed a 38.6% week-on-week rise in visits across all destinations on December 22, with high streets enjoying both annual and weekly gains. This trend was driven by consumers’ growing reliance on supermarket deals, loyalty discounts, and early Boxing Day promotions to manage festive spending, as well as a preference for convenience and immediacy in their holiday purchases. Retailers like Westfield capitalised on this momentum by offering immersive, entertainment-led experiences and new store openings, which encouraged longer dwell times and higher engagement. The data also revealed that nearly half of UK consumers now prioritise experiential and entertainment-focused environments when choosing where to shop, even during peak periods. This evolving behaviour underscores the need for retailers to adapt their strategies, combining value, convenience, and engaging experiences to meet shifting consumer expectations.

IADS Notes: The 2025 holiday season in UK retail was shaped by a surge in last-minute shopping, heightened value-seeking, and the growing importance of immersive experiences. As CBS News reported in December 2025, shoppers increasingly turned to thrift and off-price retailers, while return rates declined, reflecting a more intentional and disciplined approach to holiday spending. Fashion Network’s November 2025 analysis revealed a notable drop in shopper loyalty during the Golden Quarter, with consumers prioritising essentials and leveraging loyalty discounts and early promotions to manage festive budgets. Black Friday weekend sales, as projected by Fashion Network in November 2025, rose by 4.2%, driven by omni-channel strategies and extended promotional periods that benefited both online and physical retailers. Retail Week’s July 2025 research highlighted a strong preference for in-store shopping and technology-enhanced experiences, with retailers responding through special deals and personalised offers. Westfield’s September 2025 launch of Allders Parade, as covered by Retail Week, exemplified the trend toward transforming legacy spaces into mixed-use, experiential destinations, further boosting footfall and dwell time during peak periods. Collectively, these sources underscore how UK retailers are adapting to shifting consumer priorities by combining value, convenience, and experience-led strategies.

In the UK, retail footfall rises ahead of Christmas as shoppers leave it to the last minute