UK Boxing Day shopper footfall drops 7.9% signaling return to pre-pandemic levels

Boxing Day shopper footfall in the UK dropped by 7.9% compared to last year, indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to MRI Software. This decline follows an unusual spike in 2023, the first Christmas without Covid-19 restrictions. Analysts noted that footfall had been decreasing before the pandemic, with significant drops recorded in previous years. Increased online shopping and pre-Christmas spending are contributing factors to the lower numbers on Boxing Day. Despite the decline, shoppers are expected to return on December 27 as stores reopen. Many consumers plan to spend more online, with practical items like food and kitchenware being popular choices amid ongoing financial pressures.