Black Friday 2023 surpasses 2019 levels

Black Friday weekend was the busiest day of 2023, slightly surpassing 2019’s figures, according to new figures released today (7 December) by New West End Company. 

Driving uplift was early morning shoppers, with higher footfall concentrated between 8am – 12pm. This is likely down to the rise in savvy spenders, seeking out early bird deals in-store, even in spite of Elizabeth Line closures. 

A New West End Company on-street survey of visitors found that 60% acknowledged Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals as a key reason to visit the capital, with a third (33%) saying they were also likely to spend more as a result. 

Footfall remained buoyant across the first weekend of December, with footfall on Saturday 2 December in line with 2019 levels, even as the capital endured a cold snap. The weekend also marked the return of the West End’s ‘Magic Days’ campaign – a series of festive ‘surprise and delight’ moments, from on-street entertainment to exclusive in-store deals, which will run across three weekends in December. 

Forecasts released by New West End Company in November predicted that consumer spending could reach up to £1.64bn over the festive period, with domestic spend spiking on Black Friday and 23 December (the last Saturday before Christmas), and international spend peaking on Boxing Day.

Dee Corsi, chief executive at New West End Company, said: “Across the last 12 months, the entrenchment of hybrid working patterns has seen footfall plateau at an average of 20% lower than 2019 levels. So to see two consecutive weekends of significant uplift is cause for quiet optimism, and will be welcomed by businesses across the district during what is a critical trading period.

“It is clear that exceptional experiences, from physical retail to immersive leisure, continue to be a draw for both domestic and international visitors. It is this fact which has enabled the West End to remain resilient in the face of challenging macroeconomic conditions.”