Guest Contributors

Kroger’s Q3 2025 traffic climbed 1.8% year over year, with short visits up 5% as more shoppers embraced BOPIS and curbside pickup. The growth reflects rising digital engagement and aligns with Kroger’s shift toward store-based fulfillment and delivery partnerships to boost profitability.

Holiday visitation trends differ across apparel segments. Off-price retailers sustain strong, steady traffic from value-seeking shoppers, while traditional brands rely on milestone-driven bursts like Black Friday. Differences in dwell time and shopper mix show how each segment is capturing a unique share of the holiday wallet.

DICK’S Sporting Goods improved its YoY visit gap from -6.0% in Q1 to -2.6% in Q3 2025, with October visits up 2.2%. The retailer’s 5.0% YoY sales growth and expanding digital reach via Game Changer and House of Sport highlight strong holiday potential despite store closures.

Despite weakened consumer sentiment, Dollar Tree and Dollar General continue to post strong visit and sales growth. Both chains are capitalizing on shoppers’ focus on value, with consistent quarterly gains and October momentum signaling sustained strength into the holidays.

The October 2025 Placer.ai Office Index shows continued RTO momentum, with visits just 30.8% below 2019 levels. Miami and New York lead recovery, while San Francisco posts major YoY gains. Yet hybrid habits persist - Friday remains a quiet day, signaling an evolving workweek balance.

Following uneven Q3 results, department stores rebounded in October 2025. Bloomingdale’s led gains, and key shopping days like Black Friday promise to deliver another lift as the holiday season approaches.

Starbucks’ 2025 Red Cup Day drew higher visits than both the Bearista launch and previous years. Placer.ai data shows visits jumped 44.5% above average as customers lined up for limited-edition cups and holiday drinks – proving that buzz, exclusivity, and timing continue to drive Starbucks’ seasonal success.

After early-year slowdowns, Gap and Urban Outfitters posted Q3 traffic gains, up 1.4% and 2.4% YoY respectively, reflecting improving consumer demand. Gap’s turnaround and affluent shopper base fueled growth, while Urban’s back-to-school surge lifted visits.