MRI OnLocation for Footfall Analytics – May 2025

Scottish retail footfall rises in May as consumers embrace shopping centres and weekday visits

Retail footfall in Scotland rose by 1.7% in May 2025 compared to the previous year, making one of the UK’s strongest performances and signalling growing consumer confidence, tourism and demand for in-person retail experiences.

Shopping centres led with a 3% year-on-year increase, while retail parks and high streets also saw steady growth.

Weekday footfall continued to outperform weekends, driven by hybrid working trends and warmer weather encouraging leisure visits. With a packed summer of events ahead, cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are well-placed to benefit from seasonal uplifts and the shift toward multi-purpose retail and leisure destinations.

You can read the full report here.