Guest Contributors

From McDonald’s Extra Value Meals to Pizza Hut’s $2 Tuesdays and Dairy Queen’s Free Cone Day, the latest foot traffic data reveals what types of QSR promotions still move the needle in 2025.

Dollar General is rapidly gaining grocery share, fueled by short “in-and-out” trips and a growing role as a food destination. Since 2019, the chain has taken visits from traditional supermarkets while expanding nationwide beyond its Southern core. Cross-shopping shows Aldi as a complementary partner, while Kroger and other legacy grocers feel the squeeze.

Barnes & Noble’s acquisition of Bay Area chain Books Inc. highlights a strategy that blends community-driven bookstore experiences with the financial scale of a national brand. Location analytics reveal how B&N’s model could reshape Books Inc.’s future.

Dillard’s has managed to outperform the wider department store space in 2025 by sustaining traffic during key months, benefiting from a Sunbelt-heavy footprint, and positioning itself as a weekend destination. Its clearance locations have also thrived, highlighting the enduring importance of value-oriented shopping in a cautious consumer climate.

Gap Inc. is expanding into beauty and accessories to offset apparel’s sameness, capture value-driven and aspirational shoppers, and build brand identity. With overlap in beauty and off-price traffic, success depends on delivering trend-forward products and in-store expertise.

Beauty and fitness retail stores have not only recovered from the pandemic, but significantly surpassed pre-pandemic foot traffic levels. In the fitness space, this growth is in part driven by increased visitor frequency, and in the beauty space, continued growth hinges on the integration of a store experience that complements digital shopping behavior. 

Apparel is diverging in 2025 as luxury and off-price outperform traditional retailers. Visit data shows luxury gaining ground among high-income shoppers, while off-price continues to scale with broad consumer appeal. Traditional apparel lags as value and exclusivity dominate demand.

The arts and crafts retail landscape is consolidating fast, but Hobby Lobby and Michaels are thriving. With JOANN and Party City gone, both banners are capturing displaced demand: Michaels by expanding into party goods and Halloween, Hobby Lobby by leveraging large-format stores and growing shopper loyalty.