Total U.S. Foot Traffic Drops 3.1 Percent

CHICAGO, IL, March 10, 2010 – ShopperTrak RCT Corporation’s National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE) today reported that total GAFO retail sales for the month of February increased 1.2 percent while the company’s Retail Traffic Index (SRTI) reported total U.S. foot traffic declined 3.1 for the same period as compared to last year.

Sales remained positive in February despite three major snowstorms that influenced sales and traffic throughout the Midwest, East and Northeast regions.  ShopperTrak’s data shows that although retail levels slipped during each blizzard (Feb. 5-7, Feb. 9&10, Feb. 25-27), shoppers proved resilient by spending more directly after each event.  Both President’s and Valentine’s Day spending most likely boosted the monthly sales figure as consumers rushed to various retail locations when they could safely leave their house.

“Although slight, the positive retail performance in February should be encouraging for retailers as most of the month was buried in snow,” said Bill Martin, co-founder of ShopperTrak.  “We’ve seen time and time again that when consumers are willing to spend they find a way to do so and February’s performance highlights this trend.”  Martin continued:  “Looking ahead, March sales and traffic levels will most likely be average compared to last year unless the warmer weather seen throughout most of the country continues and drives early spring purchases.” 

On a weekly level, ShopperTrak’s NRSE reported sales for the week ending March 6 increased 2.0 percent as compared to last year, while weekly sales rose a strong 10.6 percent versus the previous seven-day period ending February 27.

For ShopperTrak’s weekly 2010 sales and traffic analysis, please visit ShopperTrak’s newly designed Website, www.shoppertrak.com .  

Developed by ShopperTrak, the NRSE provides a nationwide benchmark of retail sales. It is derived from the U.S. Commerce Department's GAFO (general merchandise, apparel, furniture, sporting goods, electronics, hobby, books and other related store sales) statistic, as well as ShopperTrak proprietary industry intelligence on shopper movement and sales statistics.

The ShopperTrak Retail Traffic Index™ measures traffic across five separate retail segments including total U.S. retailing.  Available as a database or in newsletter format, SRTI reports national and regional traffic trends in a rolling 16 month trend line.

A privately held entity, ShopperTrak leverages 20 years of retail expertise to be the industry's authority for information and analysis of the movement of shoppers in retail environments. ShopperTrak's cutting-edge shopper tracking products and indices offer retail intelligence solutions that enable companies to better understand retail trends and the impact of store and staff performance on company revenues. With more than 50,000 units installed in the world's best known retail outlets and malls, the company's solutions also provide a proven means for retailers to gauge labor efficiencies, advertising and marketing efforts, store design and remodeling programs, merchandise changes, associate training programs, and other budget-intensive strategic initiatives. For more information visit http://www.shoppertrak.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The data contained within this news release is the property of ShopperTrak RCT Corporation and may be reprinted, published or broadcast, provided proper credit is given to the National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE), the ShopperTrak Retail Traffic Index and ShopperTrak RCT Corporation as the supplier of the information. Please contact Aaron Martin at 312-943-9100 if you have any questions concerning the use of this data.