Week 9 2025 Local Retail Centres Performance Update: Insights from location analytics

Week 9 data shows a moderate decline in overall footfall alongside improved visit durations. Location analytics reveal a 4% drop and 1% uplift, reflecting evolving footfall trends.

Experts in location analytics have observed notable changes in retail centre statistics this week. Analysts highlight evolving footfall trends and shifts in visitor behaviour, while store developments continue to influence local market dynamics.

The latest data from The Benchmark reveals a mixed performance across UK Local Retail Centres during the week ending 2025-03-09. Overall, centres saw an average of 13,300 visitors daily, reflecting a moderate week-on-week decline of 4.2% and a year-on-year drop of 15.2%. While footfall numbers have dipped, the quality of visits appears to be on an upward trend as evidenced by the average visit duration, which increased to 94 minutes—up 1.1% from the previous week and showing a marked improvement compared with the same period last year.

Regional Performance

In Scotland, centres recorded an average daily footfall of 11,800 visitors with a weekly decline of 4.8%. Although Scottish visit duration averaged 92 minutes with a week-on-week drop of 10.7%, the year-on-year data suggests a sharp increase in dwell time, indicating visitors are choosing to spend more time when they do visit.

Welsh centres attracted an average of 10,300 visitors per day. The week registered a marginal increase of 0.1% in footfall; however, the year-on-year figures suggest a notable decline. Dwell time in Wales averaged 99 minutes despite a modest weekly decrease of 5.7% and a 9.2% reduction over the same period last year.

In England, the picture is similar with a daily average of 13,400 visitors, representing a 4.1% decline on a week-on-week basis and a 14.1% decrease year on year. The average visit duration in English centres reached 93 minutes, enjoying a slight week-on-week uplift alongside a marked year-on-year improvement.

Industry Comment

Joe Capocci, spokesperson for Huq Industries, commented, "The most striking change in our data—a 15.2% year-on-year decline in overall footfall—is a clear signal of shifting consumer patterns."

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