UK Shopping Centres – Week 38, 2025 Performance Update: Location Analytics
UK shopping centres show modest contraction with footfall down by 0.2% weekly while dwell time rises. Location analytics reveal improved engagement and notable retail trends.
The latest Benchmark data utilizing location analytics unveils a modest overall contraction in UK shopping centre footfall, alongside an increase in consumer engagement per visit. Despite a slight 0.2% weekly dip, with an average daily national footfall of 34,900, the data reveals an encouraging rise in dwell time across centres.
National Overview:
• Average Daily Footfall: 34,900 visitors (down 0.2% compared to last week and 0.9% year-on-year).
• Average Dwell Time: 116 minutes, marking a weekly rise of 7.4% and a 6.4% increase over the past year.
Regional Insights:
• England: With an average daily footfall of 35,900, there has been a marginal decline of 0.9% weekly and a 4.7% decrease annually. Dwell time remains stable at 112 minutes.
• Scotland: Enjoying an average daily footfall of 37,300, Scotland experienced an impressive weekly increase of 12.9%. Dwell time has also significantly risen to 169 minutes, highlighting higher consumer engagement.
• Wales: Welsh centres saw substantial improvements with an average of 19,000 daily visitors. Both footfall and dwell time (rising to 139 minutes) recorded notable gains, reinforcing dynamic regional retail trends.
Additional Insights:
The analysis underscores evolving retail trends, refined engagement metrics, and the resilience of the market. Although overall footfall has contracted slightly, the increase in dwell time suggests that shoppers are spending more time in the centres, engaging with retail offerings more deeply.
Industry Commentary:
Joe Capocci, spokesperson for Huq Industries, commented, “The sharp increase in Welsh centre footfall, highlighted alongside dynamic events such as the major free event at Braehead Shopping Centre, reinforces our view of an evolving retail landscape that continues to adjust consumer engagement strategies.”
This week’s performance update is a testament to the adaptability of UK shopping centres, as they continue to navigate a changing retail environment with innovative engagement approaches, ensuring that even with fewer visitors, the customer experience remains robust and compelling.
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About Huq Industries
Huq Industries is the leading provider of location intelligence across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, specialising in delivering high-quality data insights on footfall, consumer behaviour, and retail performance. By leveraging advanced analytics and an expansive data network, Huq Industries enables retailers and analysts to understand and respond to market trends effectively, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the changing landscape of high street and town centre commerce.
