Retail Foot Traffic Strong Despite New Normal

The week of September 19 saw a modest increase in foot activity in major North American market since Labour Day weekend, says Avison Young’s ‘Vitality Index.’ While foot traffic in the U.S. increased by five per cent, foot traffic in Canada was double that, up by 10 per cent. Since the week prior to the lockdown in March 2020, average foot traffic in the U.S. was 19 per cent lower whereas it was up by four per cent in Canada. Total retail traffic in major Canadian markets was up by 83.2 per cent compared to the week prior to the lockdown. Although people have returned to most of their social activities such as shopping, there is a portion of the population that no longer works in offices near retail centres. “The evolving nature of where and how people work has a significant impact on everything from city planning to the viability of retailers and other businesses located near office buildings and public transportation,” says Craig Leibowitz, executive director, innovation and insight advisory, U.S., with Avison Young. “Our communities and workplaces are fundamentally interconnected and we know that office occupancy is a primary driver for the broader vitality of cities.”