Week 7, 2025: High Streets & Town Centres Footfall Data Reveal Modest Dip & In-Store Engagement Rise

Week 7, 2025 footfall data shows a modest 5% dip year on year, but footfall analytics reveal a 15% increase in dwell times on high streets.

Introduction
UK High Streets and Town Centres continue to tell an evolving story as the latest footfall data for Week 7, 2025, reveals a mixed picture characterised by a modest dip in overall daily visits alongside an improvement in the quality of customer engagement. Average daily footfall across these prime retail locations stands at 28,300, representing a slight weekly decline and remaining lower than figures recorded a year ago. Interestingly, while fewer visitors are setting foot on these streets, those who do are spending more time in store—a development signalling improved in-store engagement over the same period last year.

Regional Analysis
At a regional level, England displays a broadly similar trend to the national average. With an overall average of 28,900 daily visitors, the English high streets experienced a minor week-on-week dip, yet customers now spend approximately 96 minutes per visit. This improvement, as shown by footfall analytics, is encouraging compared to last year.

In Scotland, although the average daily footfall registers at 24,500—a figure somewhat lower than in England—a modest weekly uplift provided a brief counterpoint to overall subdued year-on-year performance. The average dwell time has eased to 78 minutes, suggesting a slight softening in engagement. These insights from footfall data offer further clarity on local retail dynamics.

Meanwhile, Wales presents a distinct scenario with an average daily footfall of 16,000. Visitors in Wales invest more time in each shopping trip, spending an average of 102 minutes despite year-on-year figures indicating softer performance. These footfall statistics highlight the varied performance across regions.

Economic and Weather Influences
These nuanced trends are unfolding amid wider uncertainty in the retail sector. Recent industry news highlights ongoing challenges for high street retailers as several major chains undergo significant restructures. Economic caution is compounded by adverse weather conditions—with parts of northern England experiencing rare freezing rain, snow, and sleet, and an Atlantic storm bringing substantial snowfall and heavy downpours that have affected footfall counting efforts.

Industry Restructures and Retail Challenges
Recent developments have seen critical shifts within the industry. A rescue deal has saved 42 Quiz stores from closure, while another well-known fashion brand is expected to shutter 35 stores, marking a significant setback for high streets. Additional closures, including those affecting WHSmith, emphasise the pressures on retail—a narrative underscored by recent footfall data and footfall analytics.

Economic Context and Consumer Behaviour
The broader UK economic landscape provides further context for these trends. Consumer confidence has plummeted due to rising costs and increasing concerns over energy and NIC expenses. Although some reports suggest rising wages might boost spending, the overall sentiment remains one of restraint, as reflected in sluggish retail sales and supported by recent footfall analytics.

Conclusion
Joe Capocci, spokesperson for Huq Industries, commented, “While the overall footfall figures suggest a challenging week for high street retailers, we are encouraged by the increase in dwell times which indicates that shoppers who do visit are engaging more deeply with the retail environment.” In conclusion, the Week 7, 2025 data shows a slight downturn in overall footfall across UK High Streets and Town Centres, but increased visit duration provides a silver lining. Stakeholders may find comfort in improved customer engagement as a factor that could mitigate some retail pressures. Moving forward, the retail industry will be closely watching both economic trends and weather-related disruptions to better predict and respond to future footfall patterns.

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.