placer.ai news and archive

Retail 2026: A year defined by division, authenticity and the suburban shift

As 2026 approaches, the US retail landscape looks increasingly like a study in contradictions. Placer.ai’s latest location-intelligence analysis shows a market splitting cleanly at the seams: value and luxury continue to rise, while the middle struggles to articulate its place. Off-price and thrift retail are attracting budget-conscious treasure...

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Value-focused shoppers drive Q2 traffic at off-price retailers

Cost-conscious consumers continued to fuel momentum for US off-price chains in the second quarter, with Placer.ai data pointing to strong year-on-year traffic gains at TJX, Ross and Burlington ahead of their earnings releases. By contrast, department store operators Kohl’s and Macy’s saw notable declines, underscoring the bifurcation in consumer...

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Indoor malls gain footfall in July as heat and dining draw shoppers inside

US indoor malls recorded a modest year-on-year increase in July foot traffic, suggesting that climate-controlled retail environments are benefiting from both summer weather and non-traditional anchor tenants. The latest Placer.ai Mall Index, which tracks 100 top-tier indoor malls, 100 open-air shopping centres and 100 outlet malls nationwide,...

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Five years after Covid: 6 Trends still redefining consumer behaviour

Five years on from the start of the pandemic, The Anchor, backed by the Placer.ai platform, has published a comprehensive report on post-Covid consumer habits. Using footfall data from physical locations in the first half of 2025, compared to 2019 and 2024, the study identifies six profound and lasting dynamics. These include retail,...

Retail

Value channels lead US retail traffic as off-price apparel surges

Placer.ai data for the week of May 26–June 1 reveals a retail landscape still defined by value-seeking shoppers and promotional activity. Warehouse clubs reported a 3.1 per cent year-on-year increase in visits, outpacing all other non-discretionary categories, by contrast, superstores remained under pressure (-1.2 per cent). Among discretionary...

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Retail

Retail footfall divides as off-price gains and department stores tread water

As earnings season advances and retailers prepare to disclose Q1 results, a mixed picture is emerging from the U.S. apparel sector, with foot traffic patterns revealing the mounting tension between value-driven shopping and the waning allure of traditional department stores. According to newly released data from Placer.ai, high-street and...

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U.S. retail braces for tariff disruption as consumers pull forward demand

Fashion and retail professionals are watching closely as fresh U.S. tariff threats begin to ripple through consumer behavior and supply chain strategy. Recent visitation data from Placer.ai suggests that the industry is already feeling the effects. According to Placer.ai, foot traffic in the week of March 24–30, surged at warehouse clubs and...

Retail

Saks Fifth Avenue’s acquisition of Neiman Marcus could be the future of U.S. luxury retail

Saks Fifth Avenue’s recent acquisition of Neiman Marcus marks a pivotal shift in America’s competitive landscape of luxury retail. The creation of Saks Global as the parent company of both brands has immediately elevated its market presence, positioning it as the second-largest player in the luxury department store space by visit share. While...

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Retail

Legacy retail brands stage comeback amid shifting consumer priorities

Traditional American retail brands are experiencing an unexpected renaissance in 2024, even as economic headwinds continue to reshape consumer behaviour. Market data from Placer.ai reveals a nuanced picture where heritage names are finding new relevance, particularly among millennial shoppers who once drove their initial success. Anthropologie...

Retail

Shopping malls see comeback in pre-holiday surge

U.S. shopping mall foot traffic delivered a robust performance in November, signalling a potential renaissance for brick-and-mortar retail that could extend into the December shopping season, according to the latest industry data. The revival is particularly noteworthy for indoor shopping centres, which registered a 6.4 percent year-over-year...

Retail

Resurgence in US shopping centers signals shift in consumer behaviour

U.S. shopping centers are experiencing a notable resurgence, marking a promising shift in consumer’s shopping behavior. According to the latest update to Placer.ai's Mall Index for March, visits to shopping malls have seen a steady increase for the second consecutive month. The data reveals that visits to indoor malls surged by 9.7 percent...

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Retail

Shopping mall traffic rebounds, but shopping dynamics shift

A recent white paper by foot traffic analytics firm Placer.ai, titled "The Comeback of the Mall in 2024," reveals a notable resurgence in shopping mall foot traffic, signaling a recovery towards pre-pandemic levels. While this uptick is promising, the analysis underscores significant shifts in consumer behavior and preferences compared to...