More shoppers flocked to British retail parks, high streets and shopping centres on 27 December than on Boxing Day, exploiting the extra bank holiday to hunt for bargains in the post-Christmas sales.
The number of people hitting the shops was nearly 40% higher than on Monday, according to research by retail data analysts Springboard, and higher than a year ago.
However, footfall remained far below pre-pandemic levels and was almost 25% lower on Tuesday compared with the same day in 2019.
Retail parks recorded the largest increase in visitors from a day earlier, while more people also travelled to other shopping destinations including town centres and shopping parks.
Industry analysts had forecast a quieter start to the traditional sales period, as consumers tighten their belts amid the cost of living crisis and with many shops following the move by larger chains to remain closed on Boxing Day.
However, the extra bank holiday, as the result of Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, lured more shoppers out once stores reopened.
Retail parks – usually located outside town centres and offering larger chain stores and ample parking – had a footfall rise of nearly 64% on Tuesday, compared with a day earlier.
Footfall at shopping centres was more than 45% higher on 27 December than a day earlier, while it rose by nearly 20% on British high streets. Visitor numbers climbed by nearly 37% across all retail destinations from Monday to Tuesday.
The numbers of shoppers venturing out on 27 December was 12.8% higher compared with 2021, when the Omicron variant of Covid-19 deterred some from shopping. Store opening times were also restricted in some areas.
However this year, with inflation above 10%, some consumers may be opting to buy items they need now, rather than waiting and seeing them become more expensive.
“The +36.6% increase in footfall from Boxing Day to 27 December suggests that consumers remain keen to shop for sale bargains post-Christmas,” said Diane Wehrle, Insights Director at Springboard.
“Increased inflation may act as an incentive for many shoppers who are keen to secure purchases ahead of any further price rises.”
However, central London bucked the national trend, with Boxing Day retaining its position as the most important post-Christmas shopping day. Visitor numbers actually fell by 3.4% in the capital on Tuesday compared with Monday, according to Springboard.
This was despite major chains including John Lewis, Pets at Home, Poundland and Beaverbrooks remaining closed on 26 December, after they decided to reward their employees with an additional day off after the festive season.
In other city centres the reverse was true, as visitor numbers were up by a third (34%) on Tuesday over the previous day.
Footfall figures do not, however, show the amount of money being spent by shoppers online, where more than a third of this year’s Boxing Day bargain-hunting was expected.
Online spending on 26 December was forecast to hit £1.25bn out of a total expected spend of nearly £3.8bn, according to research by GlobalData for VoucherCodes.
More shoppers may decide to visit retailers in the coming days, as some train services return to normal after the latest strike by the RMT union.
Retail analysts are warning that the new year will remain challenging for retailers as consumers keep a tight rein on spending.
“The months ahead will continue to be tough as winter bites and the financial hangover from Christmas and new year really starts to be felt in the pocket,” said Andrew Busby, retail industry lead at Software AG.
Busby added that consumers will “scrutinise their purchases to new degrees”.
