ShopperTrak: Expect to see boost in foot traffic on Dec. 26

CHICAGO — A late Christmas gift may be in the works for retailers, according to new research from ShopperTrak.

According to the company, the day after Christmas (Dec. 26), is expected to experience an increase in foot traffic, with up to 60% more shoppers. The day after Christmas will rank third in foot traffic for the holiday shopping season, surpassed by Black Friday and Super Saturday, the Saturday one week before Christmas. This is great news for retailers, ShopperTrak said, as national foot traffic has been steadily falling since 2005.

“Dec. 26 is a very important shopping day, as shoppers return unwanted gift items and shop for marked-down merchandise,” ShopperTrak cofounder Bill Martin said. “If retailers depend on last year’s shopper turnout and behavior as a guide for staffing and inventory plans, they will lose out on business this year. Dec. 26 is going to be a door-buster day.”