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UK retail stores saw a substantial increase in the number of visits during January, industry data showed, as shoppers braved unfavourable weather to take advantage of the January sales. This followed disappointing performance during the Christmas period.
In a report compiled by British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic Solutions IQ, stores saw a 6.6% increase in visits for the first month of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
The increase came despite wintry weather conditions, and contrasts with a 2.2% drop in December, which is considered a key month for retail.
The first week of January saw a significant rise in store visits, and this positive trend continued throughout the month across major UK cities.
All types of destinations saw up uptick in footfall. The largest increase was seen by retail parks, up 7.9% in January, which was a marked improvement from a flat December.
Shopping centres also had a boost in visits, up by 7.4% following a 3.3% drop in the previous month. Main-street stores saw a 4.5% increase in footfall, recovering from a 2.7% fall in December.
On high streets, footfall rose by 4.5%, compared to a 2.7% dip in December.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Store visits increased substantially in the first week of the month, as many consumers hit the January sales.
“Despite snowy weather and Storm Eowyn causing disruption in some areas, footfall was still positive across major UK cities over the whole month.”
Andy Sumpter, EMEA retail consultant for Sensormatic, said: “After a dreary December, retailers will welcome January’s footfall jump.
“The uptick was boosted by a very strong first week, helped in part by New Year’s Day falling on a Wednesday, which may have prompted ambient store traffic as consumers bolted on additional days of leave.
“While welcome, after months of erratic and constrained footfall, the jury’s out as to whether January’s store performance signals the start of a high street revival or if it will be flash in the pan come February.”
