MRI’s latest Footfall Monitor shows January delivering the expected post-festive reset for Scotland’s high streets. Covering the four-week period from 4–31 January 2026, footfall declined 23.5% month on month following a strong December, in line with typical seasonal trends.
Year-on-year footfall fell 7.5%, influenced by external pressures including Storm Goretti and prolonged poor weather, which disrupted travel and reduced discretionary trips. Weekday footfall was most affected, down 6.4% year on year, while weekend visits proved more resilient, declining by a modest 3.7%.
Consumer intent remained evident when conditions improved. Shopping centres recorded the strongest performance, with visits dipping just 0.6% year on year and weekend footfall increasing 1.8%, highlighting continued demand for convenient, multi-purpose destinations.
Looking ahead, February offers cautious optimism. Consumer confidence edged up to -16 in January and with Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday, experiential spending is expected to support footfall across destinations that combine retail, food, beverage and leisure.
Read the full January report here.
