Benchmark

UK Major Retail Centres – Week 12 Performance Update 2025: Footfall Data Insights

Latest figures show a modest downturn across UK centres with a 1.2% weekly and 5.3% annual drop. Recent footfall data and footfall retail insights signal cautious consumer activity.

Joe Capocci

Head of Growth @ huq

April 3, 2025

2 min read

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UK Major Retail Centres – Week 12 Performance Update 2025: Footfall Data Insights

Overview

The latest weekly figures from The Benchmark, based on robust footfall data, reveal a modest downturn in overall footfall across UK Major Retail Centres. The average daily footfall stood at 68,000, marking a week-on-week decrease of 1.2% and a year-on-year decline of 5.3%. Average visit duration for the centres was recorded at 110 minutes, experiencing a 3.5% drop on a weekly basis and a more subtle annual dip of 0.9%.

Regional Comparisons

England registered an average daily footfall of 67,300, following the overall trend with a weekly decline of 1.5% and a year-on-year reduction of 6%, underscoring evolving footfall retail trends. The duration of visits in England remained at 110 minutes, with a weekly dip of 3.5% while remaining steady compared to the previous year.

In Scotland, the average daily footfall was notably higher at 79,100, though it experienced a decline of 2.3% on a weekly basis and 5.9% year-on-year. Dwell time in Scotland was observed at 121 minutes, with a 4% softening in the week despite a year-on-year improvement of 14.2%, reflecting footfall analytics insights.

Wales presented a contrasting picture with a lower overall footfall of 53,100; however, it recorded a modest weekly gain of 0.4% and an annual improvement of 5.1%, aligning with encouraging footfall statistics. The average visit duration in Wales was 87 minutes, showing a weekly increase of 2.4% but a sharp decline when compared to the previous year.

Visitor Engagement

The dwell time figures, while secondary to footfall performance, provide a nuanced view of visitor engagement. Although the overall reduction in both footfall and dwell time suggests a cautious trading environment, the regional variations indicate a mixed performance landscape across the UK centres. Furthermore, detailed footfall counting highlights shifts in visitor behaviour.

Industry Comment

"Scotland's notable footfall decline alongside Wales's resilient performance, as highlighted in recent retail industry news, underscores evolving consumer behaviour in a challenging market," said Joe Capocci, Huq Industries spokesperson.

Media: For all media and press enquiries, please contact media@huq.io

Day Part Visitation
Dwell Time Data
Footfall Data

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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 physical commerce with our flagship lighthouse platform.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to the most common questions about movement intelligence, retail expansion, and location analytics.

How does movement intelligence differ from traditional market research?
Traditional market research relies on surveys, demographics and historical reports. huq's movement intelligence uses real-world behavioural data to reveal where people go, how long they stay and how locations perform, giving teams a live picture of consumer activity.
Can movement data help benchmark locations against competitors?
Yes. Compare stores, shopping centres, town centres or developments against competing locations using consistent metrics such as footfall, dwell time, catchment, visit frequency and commercial performance.
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