Memorial Day weekend boosts US mall foot traffic in May 2025
Credits: Battersea Power Station by Charlie Round-Turner U.S. Mall Traffic Rises in May 2025, Driven by Memorial Day and Longer Visits Mall traffic in the US rose across all formats in May 2025, signaling sustained consumer interest in brick-and-mortar retail, according to new data from The Anchor's Mall Index. Indoor malls saw the largest year-over-year increase at 6.7 percent, followed by open-air centers (+5.0 percent) and outlet malls (+3.9 percent). The report attributes part of the growth to a strong Memorial Day weekend, when foot traffic surged at malls even as broader retail visits remained flat. Entertainment offerings like movie theaters helped drive the boost. Demographic data shows that the median household income of mall visitors declined slightly from last year, suggesting that recent gains are not driven by higher-income shoppers. Instead, longer average visit durations point to malls succeeding as social and experiential hubs, not just retail destinations. These trends reflect a shift in consumer behavior, with malls leveraging a diverse tenant mix to stay relevant amid economic headwinds.
U.S. Mall Traffic Rises in May 2025, Driven by Memorial Day and Longer Visits
Mall traffic in the US rose across all formats in May 2025, signaling sustained consumer interest in brick-and-mortar retail, according to new data from The Anchor's Mall Index. Indoor malls saw the largest year-over-year increase at 6.7 percent, followed by open-air centers (+5.0 percent) and outlet malls (+3.9 percent).
The report attributes part of the growth to a strong Memorial Day weekend, when foot traffic surged at malls even as broader retail visits remained flat. Entertainment offerings like movie theaters helped drive the boost.
Demographic data shows that the median household income of mall visitors declined slightly from last year, suggesting that recent gains are not driven by higher-income shoppers. Instead, longer average visit durations point to malls succeeding as social and experiential hubs, not just retail destinations.
These trends reflect a shift in consumer behavior, with malls leveraging a diverse tenant mix to stay relevant amid economic headwinds.
