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Boxing Day shopping in the UK has once again failed to generate significant excitement, as customer turnout at physical stores remained subdued. By mid-afternoon, visits to high streets had declined by 1.5% compared to the previous year, and shopping centres experienced a 0.6% drop, according to MRI Software’s footfall figures. Although retail parks saw a 6.7% increase in visitors, this rise was insufficient to create an overall meaningful gain in foot traffic. Barclays has revised its sales forecast downward, anticipating that consumers will spend £3.6 billion during the Boxing Day sales, falling short of the £4.6 billion predicted for 2024. Furthermore, online spending is also expected to decrease this year.
Despite some shoppers heading out on Boxing Day, the event appears to have lost much of its former significance. Barclays’ consumer spend report notes that while those intending to shop have raised their budgets by £17 compared to last year, the collective spending on Boxing Day is projected to decline. Karen Johnson, Barclays’ head of retail, pointed out that “shoppers have been cost-conscious through the year and that behaviour is likely to extend into the Boxing Day sales,” reflecting a cautious approach amid economic pressures.
The atmosphere on Boxing Day itself felt notably calmer, as expressed by a shopper from Glasgow who preferred the more relaxed pace. She said, “Everybody’s taking it at their own pace, it’s a more enjoyable experience shopping on Boxing Day, I think.” However, several major brands, including Next, John Lewis, Poundland, Wickes, and Iceland, opted to keep their stores closed on Boxing Day this year. Another Glaswegian shopper who visits annually out of family tradition remarked on the quieter streets, although he noted “Lush did have a big, massive queue this year.”
The economic backdrop has contributed to the restrained shopping mood. Diane Wehrle, chief executive of Rendle Intelligence and Insights, highlighted that 2025 has been challenging for many consumers, with caution especially apparent before the November budget announcement. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent budget outlined up to £26 billion in tax increases by 2029-30, which the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts will push the UK’s tax intake to 38% of national income by 2030-31. This scenario places further pressure on household finances, especially as inflation remains high despite easing from recent peaks. For businesses, rising minimum wage and National Insurance costs add to financial challenges in an economy marked by slow growth.
Additional spending data reinforce the subdued sentiment: Visa reported only a slight overall increase in pre-Christmas spending, with an 8.4% rise in electronics purchases compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, data from the Office for National Statistics showed many shoppers resisted the appeal of Black Friday deals and early Christmas sales campaigns. According to Ms Wehrle, the trend of extending discounts before Christmas, combined with booming online shopping, has diminished the importance of Boxing Day sales in recent years
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