Sharp rise in October traffic signals fast start for holiday shopping

The early start predicted for holiday shopping in the pandemic year of 2020 is happening, according to store traffic counts.

Though it struggled since the social distancing and store closures ensued in April, Nordstrom posted a 13% increase in visitors in October over September, according to the foot traffic analytics firm Placer.ai. Sam’s Club’s traffic last month was up 7.5% over October 2019 and Best Buy’s traffic was 3% better than last year’s. At Target, visits were stronger and longer this year, with 4% more people showing up and staying 5% longer.

While traffic at apparel stores remained down compared to 2019, most national chains experienced a resurgence in October, according to Placer.ai. Visits at Gap and Old Navy were less than 10% below what they were last October, prior to the pandemic. Ross Dress for Less was off less than 15% and Burlington lagged by just under 20%.