STORE TRAFFIC SLASHED BY HALF

Shopper visits to stores in the United States and Canada are at about half of last year’s levels as businesses reopen after more than two months on lockdown. Foot traffic at North American retailers has risen for nine straight weeks as growing numbers of stores restart operations. Consumers’ return accelerated in the week ended June 19, though visits are still down about 52 per cent compared to the year prior, according to location-data provider Prodco Analytics. The decline of shopping traffic began near the start of the year as the virus’s spread was confirmed. In March, major retailers temporarily shut nearly 50,000 stores over 10 days in the U.S. As the pandemic worsened in April, store traffic fell nearly 98 per cent. With widespread store closures and shifts in consumer behaviour expected through the rest of the year, some stores may never be revived.