Easter weekend provided a boost for UK retailers, with footfall increasing by 3.4 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest research from MRI Software.

This was boosted by a 4.1 per cent footfall increase on high streets, with a 21.1 per cent surge year-on-year on Easter Monday.

The high retail activity was driven by warmer weather as well as seasonal activities around Easter in local towns and cities.

Retail parks and shopping centres experienced a footfall increase of 5.2 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively, due to Easter Monday boosts.

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The increase in footfall shows that holidays as well as better weather conditions deliver a boost for retail destinations within the UK.

Footfall in Central London and coastal towns experienced a 3.5 per cent and 6.2 per cent increase, respectively.

Other areas, including historic towns, outer cities and regional cities, had solid growth of 5.5 per cent, 1.1 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively.

However, on a weekly basis, overall, UK destinations experienced a week-on-week decrease of 5.6 per cent during 27 to 30 March 2026.

The week towards Easter had lower footfall, with high streets’ and UK shopping centres’ footfall going down by 1.7 per cent and 11.8 per cent, respectively.