Footfall Analytics

Footfall analytics is the systematic measurement and analysis of the number of people who enter, pass by, or move through a physical location over time. Originally based on infrared beam counters and thermal sensors installed at doorways, the field has expanded to incorporate mobile device signals, computer visionComputer VisionComputer Vision is a field of artificial intelligence that enables machines to interpret and understand visual inform..., Wi-Fi analytics, and satellite-derived activity indices.

Core footfall metrics include total visitor count (by hour, day, week), conversion rate (visitors who make a purchase versus total entries), capture rate (share of passersby who enter), and peak-hour distribution. Advanced analytics layer in dwell timeDwell TimeDwell time measures the duration a visitor spends at a specific location, such as a store, mall, or point of interest..., repeat visit rates, cross-shopping patterns between stores, and visitor origin analysis to build a comprehensive picture of location performance.

Retailers use footfall data to optimize staffing schedules, evaluate promotional effectiveness, and benchmark stores against each other and against competitors. Shopping center operators track tenant-level footfall to negotiate lease terms linked to traffic performance. Urban planners measure pedestrian flows to inform streetscape design, transit access improvements, and public safety resource allocation. Real estate investors incorporate footfall trends into asset valuation models. Footfall analytics transforms physical-space activity into quantifiable data, enabling evidence-based decisions about staffing, marketing, design, and investment.