Summary
Boxing Day shopping in the UK saw fewer people visiting physical stores, with a slight decrease in footfall compared to last year. More people went to retail parks, but overall spending fell, both in stores and online, compared to previous years. Some major brands did not open on Boxing Day, and consumers remained cautious with their spending due to ongoing economic concerns.
Key Facts
- Visits to UK high streets on Boxing Day fell by 1.5% compared to 2024, and shopping centres saw a 0.6% decrease.
- Retail parks experienced a 6.7% increase in visitors, though it was not enough to significantly boost overall numbers.
- Barclays predicted Boxing Day spending would reach £3.6 billion, down from £4.6 billion in 2024.
- Overall, people planned to spend less this year on Boxing Day sales, despite some planning slightly higher budgets.
- Major retailers like Next, John Lewis, and Poundland kept their stores closed on Boxing Day.
- Economic factors like persistently high inflation and expectations of future tax rises have made consumers cautious about spending.
- Data showed that festive spending, particularly on electronics, increased slightly but overall remained low compared to previous years.
- The trend of extended pre-Christmas discounts and the growth of online shopping has reduced the significance of Boxing Day sales.
