Overview
- Barclays estimates £3.6bn in Boxing Day spending, down from last year’s £4.6bn, with only about 26% planning to shop.
- Those who do buy expect to spend more, with average planned outlay rising to £253 from £236 in 2024.
- By early afternoon, MRI Software saw retail park footfall up 6.9% year on year, while high streets and shopping centres were down roughly 2–3%.
- Several chains kept doors shut or cut hours, including Home Bargains and The Range closing nationwide, Next stores closed, and Primark trading on reduced hours.
- Deep discounts of up to 70% drew queues at sites such as the Trafford Centre, Bicester Village and Silverlink, as shoppers increasingly use AI tools to track deals.