Foot traffic in retail stores was relatively stable from this time last year, ticking down 0.3 percent, according to a new report by commercial real estate firm Colliers.
However, retail sales – excluding food service, gas and car sales – are up 3.4 percent year over year, likely due to tax refunds, warmer weather and consumers’ desire to get ahead of any tariff hikes, the report noted.
Recreational and sporting goods stores saw visits rise the most year over year, by just under 38 percent. That was followed by car washes, which saw visits grow about 30 percent year over year.
Among the top brands across the country, Chili’s Grill & Bar saw the biggest jump in foot traffic in March 2025 compared to the same time the year before – 23.4 percent. Crunch Fitness was next, with 14 percent growth, followed by Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, with 12.6 percent growth.
Five categories of retailers saw visits drop in March from the year before – hospitals and urgent care centers (-14.7 percent), theaters and music venues (-12.05 percent), medical centers & services (-9.04 percent).
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