On Christmas Eve, in-person shopping experienced a notable decrease compared to the previous year, influenced by Sunday trading restrictions and the ongoing cost-of-living challenges. Latest data from industry analyst MRI Software reveals a 6.8% drop in footfall across all UK retail destinations by 5 pm on Sunday, both compared to the previous week and a substantial 20.6% decrease from December 24, 2022.

Foot traffic tumbled, off 7% from last week and down over 20% from 2022
December 25, 2023 By Jotham Okafor

Edinburgh, UK.
Edinburgh, UK.

On Christmas Eve, in-person shopping experienced a notable decrease compared to the previous year, influenced by Sunday trading restrictions and the ongoing cost-of-living challenges. Latest data from industry analyst MRI Software reveals a 6.8% drop in footfall across all UK retail destinations by 5 pm on Sunday, both compared to the previous week and a substantial 20.6% decrease from December 24, 2022. Moreover, footfall remains consistently at least one-third lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Jenni Matthews, Head of Marketing and Insights at MRI Software, noted the diminishing footfall across various destination types, attributing the decline to operational Sunday trading hours and the widespread impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Retail parks witnessed a slight week-on-week rise of 6.7%, in contrast to high streets and shopping centers, which experienced drops of 14.8% and 3.0%, respectively.

Despite some areas seeing early-day hustle, with queues forming outside stores like Selfridges on Oxford Street in London, the overall trend suggests a subdued Christmas Eve shopping experience. This year, numerous stores adhered to regular Sunday trading hours. Visitors to London, like Hanouf from Saudi Arabia, acknowledged the city's festive ambiance but noted a delayed start to Christmas shopping due to the cost-of-living challenges.

In essence, the data paints a picture of a Christmas Eve marked by a decline in footfall, influenced by operational constraints, economic challenges, and a noticeable shift in consumer behavior. While some regions witnessed early enthusiasm, the overall trend indicates a more subdued atmosphere, reflecting the ongoing impact of external factors on traditional holiday shopping habits.