Glasgow city centre 'on path to recovery' as sales and footfall rise
March also saw an increase of 7.3% in footfall compared to March 2024, with Glasgow's main pedestrianised shopping area, Buchanan Street, experiencing a 10% rise in footfall.
Additionally, night-time footfall (between 6pm and 6am) rose 9.8% in the first quarter of the year, showing an uptick in visitors to the city centre as summer approaches.
Meanwhile, for the fourth consecutive month, Glasgow's city centre retail sales performance was ahead of Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and the UK average.
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Average Transaction Value (ATV) increased by 4.4% in March 2025 compared to March 2024, with the Average Revenue per Customer (ARPC) increasing by 3.4% in March 2025 compared to March 2024.
Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "The latest footfall figures are an encouraging sign that Glasgow city centre is on the path to recovery. A solid year-on-year increase in the first four months of 2025 is a clear signal that people are returning in greater numbers and crucially, they are spending. The rise in general retail sales and strength in health and beauty also reflects growing consumer confidence.
'It's testament to the resilience of our city centre and to the coordinated efforts of businesses, public sector partners, and the Council. As we build momentum, it's vital we maintain this focus, ensuring the city centre remains vibrant, accessible and competitive for Glaswegians and visitors alike.'
Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: 'These figures are welcome news for Glasgow's city centre economy, showing an increase in the number of people visiting our city centre and continued growth in retail sales.
"From the changes to how we shop and rise of online retail to the impact of the pandemic years and the cost-of-living crisis on incomes, recent years have been really challenging for the city centre. So it's hugely encouraging to see an emerging trend of growing footfall across key city centre streets in the early part of this year.
Glasgow (Image: NQ/Colin Mearns)
"Growth in city centre retail sales is currently outstripping our comparator cities - and the investment Glaswegians are seeing in our city centre, with new developments and new retailers, shows the confidence there is in our economic recovery and the city centre's future. Our job at the council is to work with our partners to help shape a city centre for the decades ahead.'
News of the rise in retail sales and footfall in Glasgow city centre comes after the city ranked in the top 30 in a list of Europe's Best Cities in 2025.
The report, compiled by Resonance Consultancy, which specialises in destination, economic, and urban development, analysed the principal cities of metropolitan statistical areas with populations of more than 500,000.
The report noted that "creative celebration and a pursuit of affordable opportunity keep Glasgow real, even as its reputation soars".
It added: "Glasgow powers to its Top 100 ranking on the strength of education, with the planet's #6 spot for educated citizenry and a world renowned university founded in 1451, the fourth oldest in the English-speaking world (ranked #14 in Europe). The University of Glasgow counts economist Adam Smith and U.S. Founding Father James Wilson as alumni. And the world is taking notice.
"Tech start-ups hungry for cheap space and talent are drawn to the city's working-class authenticity over pricier European capitals, even though the business investment metrics have yet to reflect the influx. Glasgow ranks #42 in our Large Companies subcategory and a middling #94 for GPD Per Capita.
"Still, the city is among the UK's fastest-rising property markets and new hotels are planned for the rest of the decade, with the recently opened The Address Glasgow now welcoming guests.
"But it's not like Glasgow has gone corporate. This is the home of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland, and Glasgow is still buzzing from its 2020 designation as the U.K.'s top cultural and creative city by the European Commission. Its Top 25 ranking in our Culture subcategory will rise in the coming years."
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