Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

New Survey reveals younger shoppers breathing life into UK high street, trends to watch in 2025

High Street shopping street

Photo: iStock

The resurgence of in-person shopping is set to continue into 2025, a new survey has revealed, as a generation of savvy, younger shoppers is breathing new life into brick-and-mortar retail stores.

According to the latest research by Lightspeed Commerce Inc., the one-stop commerce platform empowering merchants to provide the best omnichannel experiences, nearly eight in 10 Brits (79%) currently shop in physical stores, with four in 10 planning to increase their shopping on the high-street in the coming year.


The research has identified four key shopper trends that could impact the British high streets in 2025.

Gen Z

Gen Z are the most optimistic age group of the nation, with almost a quarter (24%) of Gen Zers spending more money now than they did 12 months ago, and with 28 per cent saying they make more impulsive purchases, thanks to social media.

#TikTokmademebuyit reigns true as it is the platform with the biggest influence in social purchases amongst this age group (59%), followed by Instagram (53%), and Facebook (24%). Nearly one in three (31%) of Gen Z respondents will be influenced by what they see on social media and subsequently head to the high street to find the item they’ve seen on social media.

AI-enhanced experiences

The research reveals a growing appetite for AI-powered shopping solutions among British shoppers, with 35 per cent identifying as a ‘Personal Shopper’. These consumers look for curated, brand-driven shopping experiences, and 32 per cent are comfortable with AI being integrated into their shopping experience.

Looking ahead to shopping in 2025, AI-powered personalised discounts top the list of what excites shoppers, with 39 per cent looking specifically for tailored promotions. Other in-store innovations, such as self-checkouts (41%), and virtual fitting rooms (26%) are also seen as a pull for tech savvy shoppers.

Preloved items

There’s a surge in secondhand goods, with those under-45 being the most likely group to shop for pre-loved or reconditioned items, primarily driven by cost-effectiveness (61%) followed by environmental concerns (35%). With recurring fashion trends and growing opposition to fast fashion, nearly a quarter (24%) of shoppers are now buying second-hand or refurbished goods, which is set to continue into 2025.

‘Deals Shopper’

70 per cent of consumers surveyed identify themselves as 'Deals Shoppers' meaning they actively seek out discounts, offers, and promotions, such as taking advantage of 2-for-1 deals (51%), switching retailers for better prices (39%), and waiting for sales (24%) before hitting the high street.

“It’s encouraging for retail businesses to hear that people are looking to shop in store next year, and even more exciting to know that they can make strides in converting business by taking steps to look at what ‘makes’ the shopper experience,” Liam Crooks, managing director of EMEA at Lightspeed, commented.

“From simple and easier AI powered tech, to personalised deals and offers to show they really know their customer, and understanding the motivations around ethical purchases, retail in the UK can once again thrive in 2025.”

More for you

Britvic growth in annual revenue and profits

Strong numbers for Britvic

Britvic, the soft drinks manufacturer set to be acquired by Carlsberg, has posted robust annual results after investment in marketing and product innovation helped it maintain demand for its brands.

Over the year to Sept 30, the company’s pre-tax profits climbed 10.5 per cent to £173.2 million despite a £21.3m hit related to the proposed Carlsberg deal. Britvic stated that its growth was driven by both volume and price-mix, with strong demand for brands such as Pepsi, Tango, Lipton, MiWadi and Ballygowan.

Keep ReadingShow less
Met Police identifies four suspects in Post Office Horizon scandal

Met Police identifies four suspects in Post Office Horizon scandal

The Metropolitan Police has identified two new suspects in its investigation into possible criminal offences as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal. This takes the total number of individuals to four as the force also revealed it believes more suspects will be identified as the inquiry progresses.

Scotland Yard said members of the investigation team met with Sir Alan Bates, the leading Post Office campaigner, and fellow victims to update them on the development.

Keep ReadingShow less
Discover Britain's top hotspots for independent shops

(Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Discover Britain's top hotspots for independent shops

New research by American Express Shop Small reveals the nation’s top 10 hotspots for independent shops, showcasing the small businesses and the valuable role they plan in their local communities.

American Express partnered with retail experts GlobalData to identify the top high streets for independent shops through ranking factors such as the number of independent outlets, variety of business types, and vibrancy of the high street.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Walkable high streets boost economy'
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Getty Images

'Walkable high streets boost economy'

Shoppers who walk and wheel spend more than those arriving by car, states a recent report, demonstrating the significant economic and social benefits of investing in walkable town centres, challenging traditional views on urban accessibility.

The findings published in third edition of "The Pedestrian Pound Report", recently published by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, come at a critical juncture for British high streets, with a record number of retail failures in 2022 and a vacancy rate of nearly one in seven by the end of 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less
Yvette Cooper

Home secretary Yvette Cooper speaking at the annual conference hosted by the NPCC and APCC on 19 November 2024

Photo: GOV.UK

Home secretary pledges to restore neighbourhood policing

Home secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans to rebuild neighbourhood policing and combat surging shop theft as part of an ambitious programme of reform to policing.

In her first major speech at the annual conference hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners on Tuesday, Cooper highlighted four of the key areas for reform: neighbourhood policing, police performance, structures and capabilities, crime prevention.

Keep ReadingShow less