Boxing Day Online Sales Surge as High Street Footfall Drops

LONDON

Boxing Day 2025 has seen a notable shift in consumer behaviour as online sales surged while high street footfall fell across much of the United Kingdom. Retail analysts report that while shoppers are increasingly turning to digital platforms for post-Christmas bargains, traditional shopping streets are experiencing lower visitor numbers than in previous years.

Data from early Friday afternoon shows that foot traffic in high streets dropped by approximately 2.4 percent, with shopping centres seeing a similar decline of 2.6 percent. Central London streets recorded sharper falls in visitors, though regional towns and coastal shopping areas fared better. In contrast, retail parks bucked the trend, seeing a 6.9 percent increase in visitors, suggesting that shoppers are gravitating toward locations that combine shopping with leisure and dining opportunities.

The rise in online shopping was particularly pronounced this year. Major retailers, including Next and John Lewis, launched their post-Christmas deals early, with some promotions beginning as soon as Christmas Day. This strategy encouraged shoppers to browse and purchase from the comfort of their homes, rather than queueing for hours in physical stores. High online traffic caused temporary website slowdowns at several popular brands, reflecting the strong demand for digital deals.

Despite the drop in physical footfall, forecasts indicate that the total Boxing Day spending will still reach around £3.6 billion, though this represents roughly £1 billion less than last year’s figure of £4.6 billion. Analysts attribute the decline to a combination of fewer shoppers on the high street and cautious consumer spending due to wider economic pressures, including the rising cost of living and inflation. However, the average spend per shopper appears to have increased slightly, suggesting that those who do visit stores are more deliberate in their purchases.

Retail experts point to a broader shift in consumer habits. Traditional Boxing Day crowds are being replaced by multi-channel engagement, where shoppers split their spending between online platforms, retail parks, and select high street locations. Many major stores opted to stay closed on the 26th, instead focusing on early online promotions, further reducing the volume of in-person shoppers.

This year’s data highlights the changing landscape of post-Christmas shopping. While the high street may no longer draw the same numbers it once did, online sales and hybrid retail formats continue to grow, reflecting an evolution in how consumers approach festive bargains. Retailers are increasingly adapting to these trends, blending digital and physical experiences to capture shopper interest beyond a single day of sales.

As the Boxing Day weekend progresses, analysts will continue to monitor spending patterns to assess how the balance between online convenience and in-person experiences shapes the future of post-Christmas retail.

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