Major Retail Centres Footfall Report: Week 4, 2025

Latest footfall data shows a 1.2% increase in London’s retail centres, with significant year-on-year changes in Northern Ireland.

In the latest week ending February 1, 2025, Huq Industries’ footfall data reveals varied trends in footfall, dwell time, and weekday visitation across major retail centres in the UK. London, for instance, saw a slight increase in average daily footfall compared to the previous week, with a 1.2% rise. Meanwhile, the average visit dwell time in London decreased slightly by 0.9% week on week, reflecting a dynamic retail environment. In contrast, the South West region experienced a stable week on week footfall but noted a decrease in dwell time by the same margin. Notably, Northern Ireland showed a significant increase in average visit dwell time year on year, highlighting a shift in consumer behaviour in the region. These insights are crucial for retailers and commercial real-estate companies looking to understand and adapt to changing consumer patterns in different UK regions.

Footfall Data Analysis

The latest footfall report from Huq Industries provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of retail centres across the UK. The data, collected up to February 1, 2025, indicates a nuanced landscape of consumer activity. In London, the footfall statistics show a modest increase of 1.2% in average daily footfall, suggesting a resilient retail sector despite fluctuating economic conditions. The South West, however, maintained a consistent level of footfall, indicating stability in consumer visits.

Dwell Time Dynamics

Dwell time, a critical metric for assessing consumer engagement, also varied across regions. London’s retail centres experienced a slight decrease in dwell time by 0.9%, possibly due to faster purchasing decisions or improved store efficiency. Conversely, Northern Ireland’s increase in dwell time year on year could suggest deeper engagement or more extensive browsing by shoppers, a positive sign for retailers in the area.

Location Intelligence Insights

Utilising location intelligence analytics, Huq’s report offers valuable insights into the strategic planning of site selection for retailers. The footfall data and dwell time statistics are essential components of location intelligence, helping businesses optimise their operations and customer reach. This detailed analysis is particularly beneficial for location intelligence companies looking to refine their market strategies.

Market Outlook

Looking ahead, the direction of the latest footfall data and historical trends suggest potential shifts in consumer behaviour over the next four weeks. Last year’s data indicates that similar trends could continue, with possible variations in footfall and dwell time across different regions. Retailers and commercial real-estate companies should monitor these trends closely to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Partner with Huq

Track consumer footfall and spend dynamics across your store network using Huq data and compare to your own sales data. Gain insights into crucial questions such as ‘are we out-performing the market’, ‘where our similar locations for new store growth’, and ‘how healthy is this retail centre’.

If you are interested in basing your location insights to actual consumer behaviour then please connect with our team.