Weekly Wrap: UK Retail Footfall Insights: Week 5, 2025 - Diverse Regional Trends

Discover the latest footfall trends across UK retail centres, with significant changes in London and Scotland, and varied regional performances.

In the latest comprehensive analysis of footfall across various types of retail centres in the UK, Huq Industries provides a detailed snapshot of consumer behavior for the week ending February 9, 2025. This report contrasts the performance of major retail centres, local retail centres, shopping centres, retail parks, and high streets & town centres, highlighting significant regional variations and trends that could influence future business and planning strategies for retailers and commercial real estate companies.

Daily Footfall by Retail Centre Type

Major Retail Centres

In major retail centres, London and the North East have shown significant increases in both footfall and dwell time compared to last year, suggesting a retail revival possibly driven by new attractions or improved consumer confidence. Conversely, the South West experienced a slight decrease in average daily footfall compared to the previous week, with a more significant reduction over the past year. However, the average visit dwell time in this region remains relatively stable. The West Midlands shows a robust increase in dwell time year-on-year, indicating a shift towards more engaged, purposeful shopping experiences. Read more about Major Retail Centres Footfall.

Local Retail Centres

In local retail centres, London again stands out with a slight increase in average daily footfall year-on-year by 0.5%, and a significant rise in average visit dwell time, now averaging 113 minutes per visit. This contrasts with the East of England, which experienced a slight increase in footfall week-on-week but a notable decline year-on-year. Read more about Local Retail Centres Footfall.

Shopping Centres

Scotland and the West Midlands are noteworthy in shopping centres, with Scotland seeing an 11.1% increase in footfall year-on-year, despite a slight week-on-week decrease. Northern Ireland faced a sharp decrease in footfall, one of the steepest declines observed, although dwell time more than doubled, indicating that those who visited spent a lot more time at the centres. Read more about Shopping Centres Footfall.

Retail Parks

Scotland also saw a 1.1% rise in visitors to retail parks, contrasting with the North East, which experienced a modest 0.2% decrease week-on-week. Dwell time in Scotland reported a significant increase, with visitors spending more time at retail locations compared to the previous year. Read more about Retail Parks Footfall.

High Streets & Town Centres

London’s high streets and town centres surged year-on-year in footfall, showcasing a recovery in consumer confidence. Scotland experienced a slight increase in footfall week-on-week by 1.4%, but a more moderate year-on-year change. The South West and North East regions faced challenges with a decrease in footfall compared to last year, although increases in dwell time were noted. Read more about High Streets & Town Centres Footfall.

Market Outlook

Based on the direction of the latest footfall data and historical trends, the coming weeks are likely to see continued regional variability in footfall and dwell times across UK retail centres. This analysis not only provides insights into regional retail trends but also helps stakeholders understand the dynamics at play, aiding in strategic planning and operational adjustments.