Foot traffic increases at Capital Region shopping centers
CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — At the Colonie Center consumers are getting back to swiping their credit cards at brick and mortar stores after online retail sales took over during the pandemic.
"Our retailers are definitely reporting increased in-person shopping,” said Jeff Law, General Manager for the Colonie Center. “It's exciting for us because it demonstrates a return to normalcy."
Crossgates mall officials credit they’re also seeing a positive shift in shopping trends too.
“Traffic has been really good over the past couple of years since re-opening after the pandemic. While shopping patterns certainly did shift, the traffic is still there and as good as ever,” said Jennifer Smith, Marketing Director at Crossgates. “Part of that is bringing brands into the shopping center that guests can’t physically get to unless they hop in the car and drive for more than an hour or two away from the Capital Region. brands in the shopping center guests can’t physically get to unless they drive an hour or more away.”
To accommodate that increased traffic the mall will be expanding hours in the new year.
Starting January 2nd 2023 will be as follows: Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri & Sat 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am-6pm
Credit card companies have the numbers to prove shoppers are doing more in person shopping.
According to a CNN report, Mastercard sited in-store sales increased 12% on Black Friday from last year.
In the same report, the National Retail Federation projected holiday sales would increase up to 8% from 2021.
"There's different ways the retailers have engaged shoppers whether that be buy online, pick up in store, curbside pickup so there's new offerings," said Law.
Some of those new offerings include new stores like the Mind Body and Spirit Center, selling crystals, jewelry and more.
Owner Christine Seebold-Walrath believes people want those traditional shopping experiences back.
"I don't think people really want to shop online, honestly. I think people want to try things on. I think people want to touch things; people want to be around other people," she said.
Seebold- Walrath adds having a store in the mall with other chain retailers brings in new customers walking through her door.
"The funny thing is watching parents walk past the store with their kids and the kids do a complete U-turn Then the child is in here with their parents and they're here for sometimes half an hour or hour,” she said.