Christmas 'continues to be tough' for High Street shops: Yet another decline for Northern Ireland stores over vital festive period as figures fall again
Christmas proved to be another tough time for Northern Ireland’s High Street, an industry body has said, with shopping figures down again.
But a spot of festive cheer is that a drop in the number of people walking through the doors of outlets across the province was far less bad than across the UK as a whole.
Last month, footfall in the province’s stores was down by 1.7% compared to the year before; UK-wide, shops saw a fall of 2.9%.
The Christmas drop here will come as something of a disappointment to retailers, as in November footfall was actually up compared to the same month in 2024.
Belfast’s decline in shopper numbers was more in line with the UK average, however; the capital city saw a fall of 2.8% compared to the previous December.
The head of industry body the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium theorised this year’s festive fall could be down to shoppers being wary due to issues in the wider economy, though he held out hope numbers would bounce back over the course of the January sales.
Said the consortium’s director, Neil Johnston: “Trading continues to be tough. The numbers of shoppers who were out and about prior to Christmas was disappointing.
“Consumers may be holding back given the economic uncertainty and hopefully they will be out in force in the sales throughout January.
“Across the UK as a whole footfall was down by 2.9% this December compared to last. In Northern Ireland the figure was less downbeat and down by 1.7% in December, having edged up 2.7% in November.”
This week Mr Johnston pleaded with Stormont to build business rate cuts for High Street stores into its budget over the next three years, mirroring help on its way from Westminster for stores in England and Wales.
His pleas appeared to have fallen on deaf ears, however, as Finance Minister John O’Dowd’s new draft three-year budget contains 3% rates rises for businesses for each of the next three years.
“The general decline in shopper footfall witnessed over the past year continues despite the best efforts of retailers,” he said. “It is essential that those in power at Stormont and in our local councils consider what they can do to help retailers inject more vibrancy into our High Street and other retail hubs.”
Statistics released today also showed that across 11 UK regions, the Northern Ireland had the third least severe decline in December footfall. London and Scotland performed better, though both also saw a drop in shopper numbers.
Retail consultant Andy Sumpter from the firm Sensormatic Solutions said that in 2025, nine months saw drops in footfall in Northern Ireland, adding that the industry has “become less forgiving, from shifting consumer demand to rising cost-bases across labour and business rate reform”.
"This means retailers must break the cycle where cost-cutting impedes investment in the capabilities and services needed for sustainable growth,” he said,
“Yet, despite the challenges, there are still pockets of demand to be tapped. Shopper traffic rallied outside traditional peak days, showing festive buying patterns are changing, and those who adapt quickly will be best placed to capture these new opportunities.”