Are holiday shoppers gravitating towards central London this year? Evidence suggests that they are, as foot traffic in the West End has notably diverged from national trends.
In the week leading up to Black Friday, the fourth Friday of November, footfall increased by 9% compared to 2024, according to the New West End Company (NWEC). The week of Black Friday itself saw a rise of 4.1%, followed by an additional 6.2%% boost the next week.
Busy Weekend and Outdoor Events
The weekend of December 6 and 7 also experienced heightened activity, attributed to the pedestrianization of Regent Street and live performances on Oxford Street.
NWEC reported that this period demonstrated „real momentum,“ contrasting sharply with the national scenario where the Office for National Statistics indicated an unexpected decline in retail sales for November.
Originating in the United States, Black Friday has gained significant traction in the UK, becoming a key shopping day and an unofficial kick-off for the Christmas buying season.
Rosie Hanley, brand director at John Lewis, stated, „This weekend we are still expecting one of our biggest weekends when people who have left it maybe to the last minute come in to buy presents and extra bedding and towels for guests.“
Impact of Events on Foot Traffic
The NWEC noted that the traffic-free event on Regent Street led to a 33.7% increase in footfall compared to the previous year, while the live performances on Oxford Street the following day contributed a 25.1% increase.
„Both events featured on-street festive activations and in-store offers and experiences, drawing crowds and causing footfall to surge by nearly a third across the weekend,“ a spokesperson remarked.
While out on Oxford Street, one shopper shared plans with a friend, saying, „John Lewis for coffee, followed by Selfridges, and then we might have steak for lunch.“ The casual atmosphere of shopping was evident, as she added, „We won’t stop yapping, eating and shopping.“ Others mentioned they had completed most of their Christmas shopping early in the month, while some preferred to leave their shopping until the last minute to get into the holiday spirit.
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Keywords: Retailing, London, UK economy, Shopping, City of Westminster
Bildquelle: Foto von JUNHYUNG PARK auf Unsplash
