Report: U.S. foot traffic falls 15.8% in March

Chicago ShopperTrak RCT Corp.’s Retail Traffic Index reported that total U.S. foot traffic for the month of March fell a sharp 15.8%, while the company’s National Retail Sales Estimate reported that retail sales slipped 5.0% for the same period.

The 2009 calendar shift, which moved the Easter holiday to April as opposed to March last year, was a key contributor to the month’s poor year-over-year performance. Continued economic weakness, low consumer-confidence levels and unseasonably cold weather throughout March also negatively impacted both traffic and sales performance.

On a weekly level, ShopperTrak’s NRSE reported sales for the week ending April 11 increased 12.5% as compared with last year, while weekly sales increased 11.0% vs. the previous seven-day period ending April 4.