Foot Traffic Data Shows How Well Sears Is Doing Today

Foot traffic data shows that Sears might be on their last leg. According to The List’s graph, the once-popular retailer hasn’t seen many visitors over the past two years. Prior to COVID-19, Sears saw an average of approximately 1,500 monthly visitors, with an expected spike to 2,500 during the holiday months. Sears was hit hard when the pandemic began, with visitor counts falling to practically zero in the spring of 2020. Averages have been slow to recover, with their highest visitor count in the past 18 months barely reaching 2,200. Sears sees merely a fraction of monthly visitors compared to retail titans like Walmart and Target, who managed to bounce back well after COVID-19.

Per Insider, Sears cancelled their mail-order catalogs in 1993 in an attempt to change with the times; but as shopping trends continue to evolve, the retailer may not be able to keep up. According to Winsight Grocery Business, post-pandemic inflation has caused consumers to favor wholesale clubs and discount stores. Shoppers are less likely to spend money on luxury items from department stores as they navigate rising prices on essentials like gas and food.

In addition to their upward battle with COVID closures, inflation, and changing consumer trends, Sears also doesn’t have a great history with its customers — in 2020, Sears was ranked dead last for their customer service. According to Reuters, the shelves of your local Sears are most likely barren, possibly signaling an end to the retail empire.