Retail
Stay on top of the latest foot traffic trends and data-driven retail insights for everything from grocery stores to shopping centers to specialty brands. Follow industry news and success stories in the world of retail.
All the Things I Think I Think About Retail Over the Last Quarter: Amazon, Walmart & Why the Box May Soon Be on the Other Porch
Retail in 2025 is being redefined by omnichannel convergence, creative merchandising, and tech-driven convenience. Walmart’s 4.5% sales growth underscores its edge over Amazon, while warehouse clubs modernize and grocers uncover new merchandising plays. The winners? Those adapting fastest to a constantly shifting retail landscape.
The Comeback Blueprint for Kirkland’s and Bed Bath & Beyond
In 2025, Beyond, Inc. and The Brand House Collective will rebrand 250–275 Kirkland’s stores as Bed Bath & Beyond Home. Despite softer digital and traffic trends, modest same-store visit gains at Kirkland's suggest potential for renewed growth for the chain.
Distinct Playbooks Driving Growth in Premium Home Retail
RH, Le Creuset, and Sur La Table are outperforming the home furnishings sector by aligning unique strategies to distinct audiences. From immersive, experience-driven retail to research-led, transaction-focused events, each brand shows how tailored positioning drives growth.
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Exploring Barnes & Noble’s Recent Acquisitions
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.
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3 Factors Driving Dillard’s Department Store Success
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.
Beauty and Fitness Foot Traffic: From Post-Pandemic Correction to New Normal
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.
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Hobby Lobby and Michaels Defy Discretionary Spending Headwinds
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.
Costco Early Openings Reshape Store Traffic Patterns
Costco’s early Executive Member hours are reshaping traffic patterns by shifting visits earlier, easing congestion, and encouraging shorter, more efficient trips—enhancing customer experience without raising labor costs.
