Key Trends Shaping Footfall in 1st Half of 2025

Introduction

The first half of 2025 brought its share of surprises to retailers, especially when it came to footfall. Even though there wasn’t an instant rush after New Year’s, there were small signs that shoppers were slowly finding their way back to stores. People might not have been racing to spend, but confidence was gaining bit by bit, and this showed up in steady foot traffic across high streets and shopping centres around the UK.

The ride wasn’t smooth everywhere. Some weeks saw a dip, while others picked up quickly. This often depended on weather, when schools were out, or how travel played out on the weekends. Over these months, clear patterns started taking shape. By watching how people moved, when they preferred to shop, and which places were busiest, a clearer picture formed of the big trends shaping footfall in early 2025.

Footfall’s Up-and-Down Journey: January to June

January set the tone with a slow but cautious rise in store visits. Shoppers seemed to be easing back in after the holiday break. There was a lift in February as well, helped by a bit more sun and a brighter mood, yet the start of the year still came with stops and starts.

March really changed things. The weather warmed up and Easter came early, giving shops a boost. School holidays helped some stores but didn’t work for everyone, and when the cooler days of April hit, that spring momentum got interrupted. Visits were more scattered, leaving stores without their usual early-season lift.

Then came May and June. These months brought a sense of normality, with steady traffic helped along by national holidays and a bit more energy leading into summer. Across this time, you could notice people moving with purpose rather than just popping in. Shopper confidence was building slowly, even though most people were still watching their spending.

Looking closer, early-year hurdles had a big effect. Rain and transport troubles kept city footfall low during some weeks, making it tough for towns that rely on regular commutes and weekend trips. Once travel got easier and the weather settled, stores started seeing busier days. Special events and holidays kept giving store visits a nudge whenever they fell at just the right moment.

Timing Is Everything: What Weekly and Daily Patterns Show

Another thing that came through clearly was how footfall could swing from week to week. January and February saw some sharp drops, often blamed on rainy weekends or travel issues that made shopping less appealing. Once the early weeks cleared, numbers grew steadily, spurred on by Easter and a run of public holidays. These days reminded retailers of just how much weather and timing affect people’s plans.

Daily patterns showed their own trends. The busiest time still hovered around lunch, with most people piling into shops from noon to 1pm. Mornings tended to start out quietly and only picked up speed closer to midday, with the flow of shoppers mellowing out after two in the afternoon and dropping again once it got close to closing.

Shops can use these details to make smart decisions about when to have more staff on hand or when to roll out quick lunchtime deals. If you know when people are most likely to come through the doors, you’re ready to catch their attention when it matters most.

Automated people counting sensors, such as those used by StoreTech, help retailers track and understand these types of daily traffic flows. Real-time footfall data makes it easier to spot peaks instantly and make quick adjustments on busy days.

When Shoppers Came Out Most: Big Days that Mattered

Not all days are equal when it comes to footfall. Saturdays were always on top, but a few dates really stood out from the rest. The biggest Saturday was 9 March, which lined up perfectly with warm spring weather and Mother’s Day just around the corner. That combination made it a standout weekend for many shops.

Late June delivered another bump in visits. With summer ahead and schools not yet out, more people headed out for clearance sales and to set up for warm weather. 27 April stood out as well, falling just before a bank holiday and making it a last chance for errands before long weekends kicked in.

Other big days came from familiar events. Father’s Day weekend and the last Saturday in January (after payday) each added a spark to footfall, showing the ongoing power of well-timed calendar moments. For retailers, these dates highlight how tying store activity to familiar, meaningful events is one of the simplest ways to bring in crowds.

With access to footfall analysis tools, businesses can look back on these high-traffic days and compare them to quieter ones, making it much easier to prepare for future peaks.

Changing Habits and New Routines

One of the most interesting shifts this year involved when people wanted to shop. Mondays saw more visits than before, flipping the old trend where Saturdays or Sundays always ran ahead. Why? Flexible work schedules may be playing a part here. More people now mix working from home and time at the office, so shopping trips are less likely to pile up on weekends.

With shoppers spreading their visits through the week, quieter days like Monday are waking up. Even so, there were some drops too. Traditional shopping weekends, especially Sundays, aren’t as crowded anymore. This isn’t a drop in overall shoppers, just a sign they’re choosing different days, spreading out their visits when it’s more convenient.

Shops might think about tweaking opening times or special offers, giving people a reason to come in when it’s less busy. It’s about matching store rhythms with daily life, which helps line up shop planning with when people now want to go out.

Where They Went: Formats and Regions That Won

Not every shopping spot drew the same crowds. High streets saw the biggest lift, with people enjoying easy walking and more reasons to pop in during lunch or right after work. Shops that mixed quick stops and other useful services saw steady activity, especially during the week.

Shopping centres also picked up during cooler spells or rainy days. These trips felt more planned, with people heading in for an indoor break from the weather. Retail parks had a tougher time. They usually rely on longer visits or family outings, so when shoppers wanted faster or local options, these places had fewer visitors.

Regionally, London had gains, but town centres and regional cities showed the most noticeable improvement compared to last year. Local events and a boost in summer travel made a big difference outside the capital. Even though London still counted the most overall visits, smaller cities and towns are now playing a bigger role, becoming key spots for changing retail footfall.

Small Shifts, Big Lessons for Retailers

Through early 2025, footfall shared a story of careful but real recovery. It showed how willingness to get out and shop keeps rising, even if spending stays steady. Patterns followed familiar triggers, like weather changes, school holidays, and key weekends, while daily and weekly habits stretched and bent in new ways.

The decision to visit a shop didn’t depend on one thing alone. It’s a mix of money confidence, ease of travel, weather, and what’s on the calendar. For shops, every visitor is a chance to improve. Reliable people counting lets businesses spot shifts quickly, use real-time reports to plan staff, or tweak in-store activities based on accurate numbers.

Tracking these changes helps retailers see what matters most for future planning. Knowing what pulls people out, where they go, and when traffic picks up makes it much easier to get the timing right, so every visit can count.

More people walking through your doors doesn’t always mean better sales, especially when it’s hard to spot the difference between casual passers-by and real shoppers. With smart people counting tech, it’s easier to see what’s working, plan your team around busy times and turn foot traffic into real results. At StoreTech, we help you understand the patterns behind every visit so you can act fast and make the most of them. Let’s chat about how we can support your store.