Consumers rush to take advantage of Boxing Day deals, with over £3.5 billion expected to be spent by the end of the week.
Post-Christmas sales are in full swing across the United Kingdom. After a cautious December, early figures from Boxing Day (December 26) show a strong rebound in consumer spending. Analysts forecast that over £3.5 billion could be spent in the days following Christmas, both online and in physical stores.
Yesterday alone, nearly 12 million shoppers took advantage of deep discounts offered by retailers, particularly in electronics, fashion, and home goods. This surge in activity is partly due to delayed autumn purchases, as explained by retail expert Diane Weld:"Milder temperatures pushed back autumn shopping. Boxing Day could therefore see a significant boost in sales."
Retailers are counting on this period to recover from a disappointing November. Online giants like Amazon UK launched their sales as early as the evening of the 25th, while major chains such as Marks & Spencer and John Lewis experienced a sharp rise in foot traffic as soon as stores opened.
This wave of spending comes amid ongoing economic uncertainty, with inflation and cautious household budgets still a factor. Nevertheless, experts note that post-Christmas shopping—often driven by gift cards and product returns—remains a vital moment for stimulating the UK retail sector.
Sources:
BBC News, "Boxing Day sales: Millions spend after Christmas", Dec. 26, 2025
The Guardian, "UK shoppers expected to spend £3.5bn post-Christmas", Dec. 26, 2025