Boxing Day 2024: High Street Suffers Significant Footfall Drop

Boxing Day 2024: High Street Suffers Significant Footfall Drop

bbc.com

Boxing Day 2024: High Street Suffers Significant Footfall Drop

UK high street footfall on Boxing Day 2024 decreased by 10.2%, and shopping centres saw a 13.9% drop compared to 2023, highlighting the continued dominance of online shopping and the impact of rising costs and "promotion fatigue".

English
United Kingdom
EconomyTechnologyE-CommerceConsumer SpendingEconomic TrendsUk RetailBoxing Day SalesFootfall
Mri SoftwareJohn LewisM&SNextBbc NewsOnsNbk Retail
LornaDaveJenni MatthewsNatalie Berg
What are the immediate impacts of the significant decrease in Boxing Day 2024 high street footfall compared to 2023?
Boxing Day 2024 saw a significant decrease in UK high street foot traffic compared to 2023, with a 10.2% drop in high street visits and a 13.9% decrease in shopping centre visits by midday. This decline suggests the continued dominance of online shopping and a potential impact from the cost-of-living crisis.
What are the potential long-term implications of this shift in consumer behavior for the future of UK retail, particularly for brick-and-mortar stores?
The shift away from traditional Boxing Day shopping indicates a long-term trend of changing consumer behavior. Retailers may need to adapt their strategies, focusing on omnichannel approaches and potentially reconsidering the significance of Boxing Day sales in the future. The cost-of-living crisis will likely continue to influence shopping habits, further impacting physical retail.
How do rising operating costs for brick-and-mortar stores and the spread of promotional events throughout the year contribute to the decline in Boxing Day shopping?
The decrease in Boxing Day foot traffic is linked to several factors: the rising popularity of online shopping, increased operating costs for brick-and-mortar stores (energy costs and overtime pay), and the spread of promotional sales throughout the year leading to "promotion fatigue". Major retailers' decisions to remain closed also contributed to lower footfall.

Cognitive Concepts

4/5

Framing Bias

The headline and opening sentences immediately establish a negative tone, emphasizing the decrease in footfall. The article continues this focus throughout, prioritizing data and quotes that highlight the decline in traditional Boxing Day shopping. While it includes some positive points (e.g., retailers giving staff breaks), these are largely downplayed in favor of the negative narrative.

3/5

Language Bias

The language used is largely neutral, but the framing and choice of words such as "hit," "fall," and "staying away" contribute to a negative overall tone. The repeated emphasis on the decline creates a sense of doom and gloom. More balanced language could be used, such as 'decrease' or 'reduction' instead of 'fall' and more focus on the positive aspects to create a better tone.

3/5

Bias by Omission

The article focuses heavily on the decline in High Street footfall on Boxing Day, providing data and quotes supporting this narrative. However, it omits perspectives from smaller independent retailers who might have experienced a different level of success. It also doesn't explore potential factors beyond online shopping and cost of living, such as changing consumer habits or alternative forms of entertainment.

3/5

False Dichotomy

The article implicitly presents a false dichotomy between online and in-person shopping, neglecting the possibility of a blended approach where consumers utilize both. It also presents a simplistic view of the reasons for reduced footfall, primarily focusing on online shopping and cost of living without considering other factors.

1/5

Gender Bias

The article includes quotes from two shoppers, Lorna and Dave. While both provide relevant insights, there's no significant gender imbalance in representation or language used. The limited number of quotes prevents a thorough assessment of gender bias.

Sustainable Development Goals

Responsible Consumption and Production Positive
Indirect Relevance

The article highlights a decrease in in-person Boxing Day shopping, suggesting a shift towards online shopping and potentially more sustainable consumption patterns. Reduced foot traffic in physical stores could lead to less waste from overstocked goods and decreased transportation emissions associated with in-person shopping trips. However, the increase in online shopping may offset this with its own environmental impacts (packaging, delivery emissions).