Booming Boxing Day business for UK physical retailers as they finish 2025 on positive note
Footfall data from retail technology specialist 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 ten years.
Boxing Day has evolved over recent years, with the likes of Primark launching early discounts ahead of Christmas, while a growing number, including big hitters like Next, John Lewis, and M&S, are now keeping stores closed on 26th December to give staff an extra day off.
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 ten years.”
She adds: “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,” Matthews concludes.
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Physical retail was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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