Boxing Day sales: London helps UK high streets record footfall increase

London has helped boost the increase in shoppers hitting the UK’s high streets on Boxing Day, data suggests.

Compared with last year, footfall was up 10% in central London and 8.8% nationally, retail analysts MRI Software said.

But when taking into account data from retail parks and shopping centres, footfall was only up 4%.

Pre-Christmas events such as Black Friday mean Boxing Day sales are no longer seen as a major shopping event.

Early online sales as well as major retailers such M&S, Next and John Lewis not reopening their stores until 27 December, have also had an impact on footfall.

Compared with 2019, Boxing Day footfall remained 14.9% lower nationally, but was up 1.6% in central London.

The footfall data was collated by MRI software using 3,600 counting points in 1,300 shopping locations across the UK.

Jenni Matthews, from the company, said: “Many people may be tightening their purse strings given the cost-of-living status, or may still be spending time with their families on Boxing Day and not be heading out to stores.

“It will be interesting to see how the rest of the week pans out for retail as we close out 2023.”

Central London shoppers were up 10.6% on Boxing Day compared to last year

Retail group the New West End Company, which represents businesses on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, confirmed the West End had seen a “bumper” Boxing Day.

It added that December footfall in the area was also up 20% on November.

Its chief executive Dee Corsi called the West End “world-class”.

“More than just shopping, many flock here to enjoy all that the area has to offer across the festive season,” she said.

“Little wonder then that we have had a busy December, rounded off with a bumper Boxing Day to set the West End up for a positive start to 2024.

“However, we cannot afford to ignore that it is international visitors driving our recovery this winter, particularly on Boxing Day.

“The cost-of-living crisis is squeezing domestic spending and dampening consumer confidence.”

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