UK retail footfall in the week leading up to Easter jumped by nearly 12 per cent compared to the same period of 2024, according to new figures from MRI Software.

High Streets saw the largest rise in comparison to last year at 15.7 per cent, followed by retail parks increasing by 8.1 per cent, and shopping centres with a 7.1 per cent hike.

Footfall increased in both historic (11.7 per cent) and market towns (10 per cent), while in Central London levels were 25.8 per cent higher than the week leading up to Easter 2024.

But overall retail footfall remained flat compared to the previous week, with High Streets experiencing a modest drop in activity, while retail parks and shopping centres saw an uplift.

It was a week of two halves for High Streets, with footfall rising only on Tuesday and Thursday.

Week-on-week, footfall declined on High Streets, driven by a significant drop on Friday and Saturday averaging 7.7 per cent. MRI Software said that this may have been driven by shoppers visiting other retail destinations to gather last minute groceries and Easter treats.

Retail parks and shopping centres saw a slow start to the week, with declines recorded on Sunday and Monday but improvements recoded thereafter.

These shopping destinations recorded an average footfall rising of 5.2 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively.

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