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Week 32 2025 High Streets & Town Centres: Insights from Footfall Retail
Week 32 2025 High Streets & Town Centres: Insights from Footfall Retail
UK high streets & town centres record a modest week-on-week increase of 1.3% in footfall retail with a 3.6% year-on-year rise, reflecting robust footfall analytics across the market.
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Recent data for the week ending 17 August 2025 underscores a steady growth trajectory across UK High Streets and Town Centres. The overall average daily footfall reached 32,800, signifying a week-on-week increase of 1.3% and a year-on-year rise of 3.6%. Visitors are not only frequenting these retail hubs more often, but they are also spending additional time during each visit.
The average visit duration now stands at 99 minutes, a figure that has increased by 1% on a weekly basis and improved by 12.5% compared to the same period last year. These figures, derived from detailed footfall data and robust analytics, offer valuable insights into evolving customer engagement patterns.
Regional performance across the UK reveals some interesting trends:
• In Wales, average daily footfall hit 17,900 visitors, showing a week-on-week lift of 2.8% and a robust annual increase of 6.4%.
• Scotland exhibited particularly strong dynamics with an average of 30,100 daily visitors, accompanied by significant increases of 9.2% on a weekly basis and 11.3% over the past year. Despite this high activity, Scotland recorded a slightly lower average visit duration of 81 minutes, with both weekly and yearly decreases suggesting shorter engagement periods compared to other regions.
• England maintained a steady performance with healthy footfall figures of 33,500 daily visitors. The region saw a modest weekly uptick of 1%, with a comfortable year-on-year rise of 3.3%. Notably, England leads with an impressive average visit duration of 100 minutes—a standout improvement of 14.9% year-over-year.
The data presents a story of resilience and dynamic change in the UK retail landscape. Understanding these shifts can help retail planners and high street managers better tailor their strategies in a market that’s rapidly evolving. With continuous monitoring and analysis, local governments and industry stakeholders are well-positioned to adapt to consumer behaviors, ensuring high streets and town centres remain vibrant hubs for commerce and community activities.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for Major Retail Centres Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/week_32_2025_major_retail_centres-scaled.png)
UK Major Retail Centres – Week 32 2025: Footfall Retail Trends
UK Major Retail Centres – Week 32 2025: Footfall Retail Trends
UK Major Retail Centres recorded steady footfall trends in Week 32 2025 with an average daily footfall of 83,400, a 1.5% week-on-week decline and modest annual growth. Robust footfall data underpins balanced consumer sentiment.
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UK Major Retail Centres have displayed a balanced trend in Week 32 2025 with robust yet stable consumer activity noted throughout the week. The overall performance shows an average daily footfall of 83,400, marking a slight week-on-week decline of 1.5% while still recording a modest annual increase when compared to the same period last year. This performance reinforces a consistent market sentiment, even as some local variations come to light.
In terms of regional insights, there are significant differences across England, Scotland, and Wales. Retail centres in England averaged 81,200 daily visitors, experiencing a minor weekly drop of 1.8%, yet the year-on-year figures indicate a modest uplift of 4.4%. In Scotland, centres averaged a higher figure of 109,500 visitors per day; despite a small weekly softness of 2.4%, the annual numbers improved by a notable 7.5%, suggesting a steady recovery in the region. Wales, on the other hand, showed particularly strong performance with an average of 66,000 daily visitors and a robust week-on-week increase of 12.4%, accompanied by a sharp annual improvement. These regional variations are prominently supported by detailed footfall analytics and comparative studies.
The story does not end with just visitor numbers. An important aspect is the visitor dwell time, which has also recorded positive shifts. Across the retail centres, the average visit duration stood at 118 minutes—a slight week-on-week rise of 0.9% and an impressive 11.3% year-on-year increase. Specifically, visitors in England spent around 117 minutes with a weekly lift of 1.7%, while Scottish centres recorded a longer average stay of 131 minutes, showing steady weekly performance and strong annual improvement. Though Welsh centres recorded an average dwell time of 102 minutes, the overall trend remains positive with ongoing consumer engagement.
Industry experts are noting these changes with optimism. Joe Capocci, spokesperson for Huq Industries, commented on the evolving consumer habits, highlighting the surge in Welsh footfall alongside the steady engagement metrics. Capocci referenced current retail headlines, including significant events like the Biggest Bershka opening at Trafford Centre, which further emphasizes changing retail dynamics and consumer preferences. This industry commentary not only sheds light on the current metrics but also provides context for the evolving landscape of UK retail.
In conclusion, while Week 32 showed a slight week-on-week dip in overall numbers, the steady annual growth, regional strengths, and improving visitor engagement metrics suggest that UK Major Retail Centres continue to be resilient and adaptive in a changing retail environment.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for Local Retail Centres Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/week_32_2025_local_retail_centres-scaled.png)
UK Local Retail Centres – Week 32 (2025) Footfall Retail Update
UK Local Retail Centres – Week 32 (2025) Footfall Retail Update
UK Local Retail Centres saw steady growth in week 32, 2025 with a 2.5% rise in average daily footfall of 16,000. Recent footfall data confirms the overall positive trend.
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UK Local Retail Centres delivered strong performance during week 32 of 2025. The centres reached an average daily footfall of 16,000, marking a 2.5% increase from the previous week. Although the year-on-year growth remained marginal at 0.1%, the figures indicate a stable and consistent visitor trend across the sector.
Overall Footfall Performance
The recent data for the week ending 17 August 2025 showed that, despite only minor annual changes, there is a clear indication of gradual growth in visitor numbers. The continued stability and slight uplift in weekly footfall reaffirm the positive outlook for local retail centres.
Regional Comparisons
Differences in performance across regions were notable. In Wales, centres reported an average daily footfall of 14,000, accompanied by an impressive 18.9% week-on-week rise and a 10.3% annual increase. Scotland's centres, however, maintained the overall average of 16,000 with an 11.5% week-on-week boost, but experienced a slight year-on-year decline of 1.1%, suggesting that while the immediate results are strong, longer-term growth may be more challenging.
Visitor Engagement
Dwell time remains a critical metric for assessing visitor engagement. Across all centres, the average visit duration was 93 minutes. Although this represented a small 1.1% decline from the previous week, there was a notable annual improvement of 9.4%. Wales again outperformed, with visitors spending an average of 119 minutes per visit, compared to 89 minutes in Scotland and 94 minutes in England. These trends underscore a quality visitor experience despite varying regional metrics.
Industry Comment
Joe Capocci, a spokesperson for Huq Industries, remarked on the latest trends: "The sharp increase in Wales and recent retail developments such as the new IKEA Brighton opening underline the evolving consumer trends seen in our latest results." His comment highlights how emerging retail developments are contributing to dynamic shifts in consumer behavior across different regions.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for Retail Parks Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/week_32_2025_retail_parks-scaled.png)
Week 32, 2025 Retail Parks Update: Insights with Location Analytics
Week 32, 2025 Retail Parks Update: Insights with Location Analytics
The latest report reveals UK retail parks saw a modest 0.9% weekly dip in daily footfall. Location analytics highlights compelling footfall trends driving market insights.
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The latest figures from Week 32, 2025 indicate that UK retail parks are experiencing mixed trends as they navigate evolving consumer behaviors. Overall, the parks recorded an average daily footfall of 20,000, marking a slight weekly decline of 0.9% and a more pronounced year-on-year drop of 5.7%. Despite fewer visitors, an in-depth look at dwell times suggests that visit quality remains an important measure of engagement.
Utilising advanced location analytics, industry experts are able to capture subtle shifts in footfall along with visitor dynamics. These insights are vital as retail centres and shopping parks continually adjust to economic climates and shifts in consumer preferences. Regional breakdowns offer a deeper understanding of these trends:
• In Scotland, retail parks observed around 19,200 daily visitors, representing a 3% weekly contraction and a 4.1% annual decline. However, the increased dwell time—averaging 76 minutes—signals that while visitor numbers dipped, the engagement quality improved notably.
• England’s figures align closely with the national average, with 20,300 daily visitors. The region experienced the same 0.9% weekly drop and a 5.5% year-on-year decline in footfall. The average dwell time here stayed constant at 70 minutes, indicating a balance between slight short-term and long-term fluctuations.
• Wales presents an interesting case where a 4.9% weekly increase in the average of 16,200 visitors contrasts with an annual decline of 11.7%. Although visitor numbers bounced back in the short term, the dwell time of 60 minutes—rising modestly by 3.4% this week while falling 15.5% year-on-year—raises questions about long-term visitor engagement.
Industry experts are closely monitoring these nuances. Joe Capocci, of Huq Industries, commented on the trends saying, "These figures reveal the most striking change in regional footfall trends with Wales showing a positive weekly recovery, and echo the sentiment in recent retail industry news regarding innovative entry trials at retail parks."
This blend of quantitative footfall data and qualitative dwell measurements highlights the evolving landscape of the UK retail market. As retail parks continue to adapt and innovate, location analytics remains a key tool in understanding where the market is headed and in fine-tuning strategies to enhance visitor engagement and overall performance.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for Weekly Wrap Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/wrap_featured_image-1.png)
Week 31 Weekly Wrap: UK Retail Footfall Insights with location analytics
Week 31 Weekly Wrap: UK Retail Footfall Insights with location analytics
UK retail centres improved by 7% as advanced location analytics and location intelligence drive shopper engagement.
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UK retailers are watching visitor patterns change as even subtle shifts in retail footfall make a big impact. Recent findings reveal that improvements in visitor duration and numbers are reshaping strategies across retail centres. By using advanced location analytics, industry experts have a clearer picture of evolving shopper behaviour.
A Closer Look at Major Retail Centres
Major retail centres continue to show resilience with a weekly rise in visitor numbers. In Week 31, centres recorded an average daily footfall of 84,600, marking a 1% increase from the previous week and a 7% year‐on‐year growth. More detailed insights are available in the Week 31 Major Retail Centres update, which highlights how even small percentage gains matter in a competitive market.
Shopping Centres and Changing Dynamics
Shopping centres have experienced minor contractions in footfall, with a 0.9% decrease to an average of 36,000 daily visitors in Week 31. Despite this, the average visit length has improved by 5.8%, suggesting that customer engagement is still healthy. The report for the retail sector in shopping centres provides further details in the UK Shopping Centres Week 31 update, noting that location intelligence is playing a critical role in understanding these trends.
Divergent Trends Across Local Retail Centres
Local retail centres are showing mixed performance with regional differences that underline the complexity of the current retail environment. One report shows an 11.5% increase in footfall, while another highlights a slight 0.3% drop on a weekly basis. These contrasting trends reveal that local retail centres face unique challenges, as further discussed in the UK Local Retail Centres Week 27 update and the Week 31 Local Retail Centres update.
Retail Parks: Small Declines and Renewed Engagement
Retail parks have experienced a small decline of 0.4% in overall footfall during Week 31, with an average of 20,300 daily visitors. However, the increase in dwell time by 2.8% to 73 minutes demonstrates growing customer engagement. Further analysis on this evolving trend can be found in the UK Retail Parks Week 31 update and the Week 27 Retail Parks review.
High Streets and Town Centres on the Mend
High streets and town centres are beginning to show signs of recovery as they record promising annual increases. Week 31 data reveals an average of 32,500 daily visitors and a 2.8% annual growth in footfall, with dwell time averaging 98 minutes per visit. More detailed figures are discussed in the UK High Streets & Town Centres Week 31 update, emphasising that location analytics is essential for planning future recovery strategies.
Economic and Weather Influences
Weather and economic conditions continue to play a role in shaping consumer behaviour and retail dynamics. Warmer weather and shifts in consumer sentiment are prompting businesses to rethink their strategies using both location analytics and location intelligence. The report notes that retailers are now more focused than ever on using detailed location intelligence to adapt to regional variances and enhance customer experiences.
Industry Insight and Expert Commentary
Joe Capocci, Huq Industries Spokesperson, commented, "The detailed figures from our location analytics reports are a vital tool for understanding shifting consumer patterns. Even minimal gains in footfall can signify the need to adapt marketing strategies and infrastructure investments. Our approach is to use these insights to target improvements across every retail channel." His statement underscores the importance of data in driving positive change in the retail environment.
Strategic Implications for Retailers
Retailers must now balance short-term footfall variations with long-term improvements in dwell time. The combination of location analytics and emerging location intelligence is providing key insights into area-specific trends. This means adapting strategies for major retail centres, shopping centres, local retail centres, and retail parks to harness subtle yet impactful trends.
Summing Up the Trends
The interplay of minor weekly and annual shifts in UK retail footfall indicates evolving market conditions. Small changes in the numbers, such as the 1% increase in major centres or the slight dip in shopping centre visits, have significant strategic implications. Retailers are advised to continue focusing on detailed data to understand the shifts in retail centres and optimise their operations.
Looking Ahead
As consumer behaviour gradually shifts, detailed data from location analytics is becoming indispensable. Retailers are encouraged to deploy tailored strategies for each segment – from high streets and town centres to local retail centres. Future trends will undoubtedly require further application of location intelligence to ensure enduring engagement and success.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for High Streets & Town Centres Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/week_31_2025_high_streets_town_centres-scaled.png)
UK High Streets & Town Centres – Week 31, 2025 Performance Update with Location Analytics
UK High Streets & Town Centres – Week 31, 2025 Performance Update with Location Analytics
UK high streets and town centres show a gradual recovery with 2.8% year‐on‐year gains. Robust location analytics and footfall data highlight resilience in visitor engagement.
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UK high streets and town centres are on a steady path to recovery. In week 31, location analytics recorded an average of 32,500 visitors per day, pointing to a gradual resurgence in foot traffic despite a modest week‐on‐week dip. Compared to the same week last year, there’s been a promising 2.8% year‐on‐year increase in visitor numbers.
A deeper regional analysis reveals varied performance across the UK. In England, the average daily footfall reached 33,300 visitors with sustained annual gains, despite experiencing a similar slight decline over the past week. Scotland, while observing a somewhat steeper weekly decline with 27,700 visitors per day, still managed to register a healthy 2.4% increase compared to last year. Wales, on the other hand, saw an average of 17,600 visitors daily, alongside a modest weekly decrease, yet distinguished itself with an impressive 4.8% improvement on an annual basis.
Visitor engagement metrics add further insight into the narrative of recovery. The average visit duration across the UK was recorded at 98 minutes, with England’s figures showing a slight dip on a weekly basis but a robust annual increase of 13.8%. In Scotland, visitor engagement improved week-on-week with a solid 96 minutes average stay, underscoring a resilient visitor experience. Wales experienced a notable weekly increase in dwell time, reflecting the unique challenges and improvements witnessed within the region over the year.
Adding to these insights, industry spokesperson Joe Capocci from Huq Industries remarked, "The most striking change in footfall is the robust year‐on‐year recovery, which is underscored by current industry news on high street closures." His comments underline an underlying market confidence, even as high street closures make headlines, illustrating that resilient consumer behavior and dedicated visitor engagement remain pivotal in the recovery process.
Overall, the detailed performance analysis underscores the evolving dynamics of the UK’s high streets and town centres. With adaptive strategies and continuous monitoring of visitor patterns, local economies are poised to benefit from this gradual resurgence, reinforcing the importance of location analytics in navigating the post-pandemic landscape.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for Retail Parks Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/week_31_2025_retail_parks-scaled.png)
UK Retail Parks – Week 31, 2025 Performance Update: Insights from Location Analytics
UK Retail Parks – Week 31, 2025 Performance Update: Insights from Location Analytics
UK Retail Parks Week 31, 2025 shows a 0.4% drop in footfall and a 2.8% rise in visit duration, signalling a shift in visitor engagement. Highlights reveal robust location analytics and evolving consumer trends in retail park dynamics.
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The recent performance update for UK retail parks in Week 31, 2025 reveals a mixed bag in visitor numbers and engagement metrics based on comprehensive location analytics. The benchmark data indicates that while the average daily footfall across these retail parks slightly decreased by 0.4% to 20,300, there was a notable increase in average visit duration, which climbed by 2.8% weekly to 73 minutes – up by a substantial 10.6% on an annual basis.
A closer look at regional performance uncovers several fascinating trends:
• In Scotland, retail parks averaged 20,200 daily visitors. Although modest, there was a 0.2% weekly increase, which coupled with a 1.3% annual rise, reflects steady local engagement.
• England, on the other hand, experienced a higher daily count of 20,700 visitors. However, it registered a 0.6% decline week-on-week and a 3.8% fall compared to the previous year. Despite this dip in footfall, England boasted the highest average dwell time at 75 minutes, showing a strong weekly increase of 4.2% and a 15.4% annual gain, suggesting enhanced consumer interaction.
• Wales showed a contrasting trend with a lower average of 15,500 daily visitors. Despite this, there was a healthy weekly increase of 2% in footfall; however, the region saw a significant 15.6% decline when compared to the previous year, and it recorded the shortest average visit duration at 58 minutes.
Visitor engagement metrics, as indicated by dwell time, further accentuate the disparity in regional performance and underline the importance of tailored marketing and operational strategies. The UK market continues to grapple with various challenges, yet the increasing dwell time suggests that when visitors do come, they are spending more time exploring and engaging with the retail environment.
Industry expert Joe Capocci of Huq Industries noted, “The most striking change in footfall was observed in Wales with a notable annual decline, which is underscored by recent retail industry news on new park developments, and this indicates a shift in consumer engagement patterns.”
As the landscape of retail parks evolves, these insights emphasize the need for stakeholders to continue leveraging robust location analytics to adapt and innovate in response to changing consumer behaviors.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for Local Retail Centres Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/week_31_2025_local_retail_centres-scaled.png)
Week 31, 2025 Local Retail Centres Performance Update: Location Analytics Insights
Week 31, 2025 Local Retail Centres Performance Update: Location Analytics Insights
UK local retail centres show overall modest declines with a −0.3% weekly and −0.6% yearly shift, reflecting evolving footfall trends and steady visitor engagement using location analytics.
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Performance Overview
The latest figures for UK Local Retail Centres indicate an overall average daily footfall of 15,900, reflecting a slight weekly softening of −0.3% and a modest year‐on‐year decrease of −0.6%; these insights were derived using location analytics. Alongside the primary footfall data, the average visit duration was recorded at 94 minutes, with a weekly softening of 6.9% and a year‐on‐year increase of 10.6%, highlighting evolving visitor engagement and notable footfall trends. These results suggest steady overall visitation while urging a closer look at regional performance and shifts in the retail industry.
Regional Analysis
In England, centres recorded a resilient performance with an average daily footfall of 16,000, showing a slight increase of 0.1% week‐on‐week and nearly flat year‐on‐year change at −0.1%. Conversely, centres in Wales experienced lower activity with average daily visits of 11,900 and a noticeable weekly decline of −8.8% as well as a year‐on‐year drop of −6.3%. Scottish centres also fell behind with an average of 14,600 daily visits, as they witnessed decreases of −4.6% on a weekly basis and −9.9% over the past year, further emphasising regional performance differences within the retail industry.
Visitor Engagement
Dwell time remains an important secondary metric. Centres in England mirrored the overall average with visitors staying 94 minutes, albeit with a weekly drop of 6% balanced by an annual increase of 9.3%. In Wales, the average duration was higher at 118 minutes, even though it experienced a weekly decline of 9.2%; year‐on‐year figures point to a strong upward trend in visitor engagement, while Scottish centres reported an average visit length of 83 minutes, with the weekly softening reinforced by a modest annual increase.
Joe Capocci, Huq Industries Spokesperson, said: “The most striking change in footfall, especially the notable decline in Wales, is reflected in our data and supported by recent retail industry news reporting a major store closure.”
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for Shopping Centres Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/week_31_2025_shopping_centres-scaled.png)
UK Shopping Centres – Week 31, 2025 Performance Update: Location Analytics Insights
UK Shopping Centres – Week 31, 2025 Performance Update: Location Analytics Insights
UK shopping centres experienced a 0.9% overall decline in footfall last week while dwell time rose by 5.8%. Discover key insights in location analytics and emerging retail trends.
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UK shopping centres are facing subtle shifts in consumer behavior as revealed by the latest location analytics for Week 31. The overall average daily footfall across the UK reached 36,000 visitors, reflecting a 0.9% decline from the previous week and remaining 2% below the figures from the same period last year. This modest contraction is indicative of broader market trends and evolving shopping habits.
Overview:
The Benchmark data demonstrates that even though visitor numbers are slightly down, the retail environment is adapting. The increased dwell time seen across the board suggests shoppers are spending more time per visit, perhaps scrutinizing in-store offerings more closely or enjoying a more leisurely shopping experience.
Regional Performance:
- In England, centres reported an encouraging average of 38,200 visits per day. Despite a minor 1% dip compared to last year, a 1.1% week-on-week increase suggests a steady resilience, possibly bolstered by advanced location intelligence providing local centres with targeted insights.
- Scottish centres, on the other hand, faced a steeper challenge, averaging 30,700 daily visits and experiencing a significant 13.5% decrease week-on-week. However, the year-on-year comparison shows only a 0.3% change, hinting at a relatively stable long-term performance despite recent setbacks.
- Welsh centres are under particular pressure, with daily averages at 12,700 visits and a sharp 14% decline from the previous week. Historical trends also indicate a downturn compared to the previous year, reflecting deeper issues within the regional retail sector.
Shopper Dwell Time:
One of the key positives noted in the report is the rise in shopper engagement, as evidenced by dwell time. Overall, the average visit now lasts 109 minutes, marking an increase of 1.9% over the previous week and a notable 5.8% improvement compared to the previous year. The endurance of visitor engagement is further underscored by regional figures:
- England’s centres show an average stay of 111 minutes, aligning with the general upward trend.
- Scottish centres have also improved with an average of 94 minutes per visit, showcasing a 9.3% year-on-year improvement.
- Although Welsh centres have seen a considerable week-on-week increase in dwell time, the overall annual performance remains subdued, highlighting regional disparities.
Industry Commentary:
Joe Capocci, the spokesperson for Huq Industries, commented on the figures by saying, "The marked decline in Welsh footfall alongside recent industry restructuring, such as the Rivergate centre closure, underscores the varied market pressures we are witnessing." His remarks echo the broader narrative of a retail landscape in flux, with regional markets experiencing distinct challenges and opportunities.
Conclusion:
The latest insights from Week 31 reveal that while UK shopping centres face declining footfall figures, increased dwell times indicate a shift towards deeper shopper engagement. The divergence in performance between regions, particularly the contrasting trends seen in England, Scotland, and Wales, points to a nuanced landscape where localized strategies and branding efforts become increasingly crucial. As the retail market continues to evolve, the reliance on precise location analytics will be essential in managing these challenges and leveraging emerging trends.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
![The Benchmark Infographic for Major Retail Centres Week Ending [object Object]](https://huq.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/week_31_2025_major_retail_centres-scaled.png)
Week 31, 2025 Major Retail Centres: Location Analytics Performance Update
Week 31, 2025 Major Retail Centres: Location Analytics Performance Update
Week 31 shows a steady rise in UK retail centres, with overall daily footfall up by 1% and year-on-year growth of 7%. Location analytics and location intelligence data signal strong consumer engagement.
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Overall Performance
The latest figures from The Benchmark reveal that UK Major Retail Centres recorded an average daily footfall of 84,600 during Week 31, representing a modest 1% increase from the previous week and a 7% improvement on a year-on-year basis. Using cutting-edge location analytics, these centres are showing encouraging footfall trends. Visitors exhibited an overall average dwell time of 117 minutes per visit. Despite a small 3.3% softening in visit duration compared to last week, the year-on-year growth of 10.4% in dwell time underscores enduring consumer engagement.
Regional Insights
Scotland led performance with an impressive average daily footfall of 112,200, buoyed by a strong week-on-week boost of 16.1% and a 10.2% annual increase. Scottish retail centres also recorded the longest on-site visit duration at an average of 129 minutes, although this figure saw a minor decline of 4.4% from the preceding week. In Wales, retail centres welcomed an average of 58,700 daily visitors, experiencing an 8.8% weekly increase and a 10.3% rise on a year-on-year basis. This positive performance in both Wales and Scotland highlights significant consumer engagement through the lens of location intelligence and footfall data.
In contrast, centres in England recorded an average of 82,700 daily visitors. While England experienced a slight 0.7% softening in footfall week-on-week, the year-on-year performance remained strong with a 6.3% increase. The average visit duration in England was 115 minutes, showing a small short-term decline of 4.2% but an 8.5% growth over the year, reinforcing the sustained consumer interest.
Industry Comment
Joe Capocci, spokesperson for Huq Industries, commented on the evolving retail dynamics: "The sharp increase in Scottish footfall paired with the recent industry developments strongly supports our view on the evolving retail dynamics now evident in key UK regions." His remarks further stimulate confidence in the sector as location analytics continue to shed light on emerging consumer trends and regional performance disparities.
The continuous improvements in footfall and visitor engagement across UK retail centres signal resilience in the retail market, with location analytics playing a pivotal role in capturing these evolving trends.
Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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.
