Fri, 26 Dec 2025

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 Boxing Day shopping falls flat once again

Although shoppers are still bargain-hunting, fewer people headed to the high streets and shopping centres compared with last year.

* Visits to UK high streets were down 1.5% by 3pm on Boxing Day compared to last year.
* Shopping centers saw a 0.6% fall in visits.
* Retail parks saw a 6.7% increase in visitors, but this was not enough to offset the decline elsewhere.
* Barclays predicts shoppers will spend £3.6bn during the sales, down from £4.6bn last year.
* People are expected to spend less online as well.
* Those who plan to shop have increased their budgets by £17 on average, but overall spending is predicted to be lower than last year.
* Several major brands closed their stores on Boxing Day, including Next, John Lewis, Poundland, and others.
  >>