What is Foot Traffic Data? Examples, Datasets and Providers
- Overview
- Datasets
- Providers
- Use Cases
- Attributes
- Guide
- FAQ
- Overview
- Datasets
- Providers
- Use Cases
- Attributes
- Guide
- FAQ
What is Foot Traffic Data?
Foot traffic data is information collected about the number of people visiting a particular location or establishment. It provides insights into customer behavior, patterns, and trends, helping businesses understand their audience and make informed decisions. This data is typically gathered through various methods, such as sensors, cameras, or mobile devices, and can be used to optimize operations, improve marketing strategies, and enhance overall customer experience.
What Are Examples of Foot Traffic Data?
Examples of foot traffic data include datasets that track and analyze pedestrian movement patterns. Key examples include:
- Visitor Counts: Total number of people visiting a specific location.
- Dwell Time: Duration individuals spend at a particular place.
- Time-of-Day Trends: Patterns of foot traffic at different hours.
- Point of Interest (POI) Traffic: Movement data specific to stores, malls, or landmarks.
- Heatmaps: Visual representations of areas with high or low foot traffic.
- Demographic Breakdown: Age, gender, and other characteristics of individuals in foot traffic data.
Editor's Pick
Best Foot Traffic Databases & Datasets
The best foot traffic datasets provide insights into pedestrian movement patterns, visitor behavior, and location-based trends. This curated list features the top foot traffic datasets, selected for precision, quality, and trusted providers.
Global Leading Multinational Retailer Location & Foot Traffic Data
Real-Time Foot Traffic Data | Aggregated Foot Traffic Data | Location & Mobility Data | Global | 600+ Customers
PREDIK Data-Driven I UK Aggregated Foot Traffic Data & Mobility Data I Measure Foot Traffic patterns within the United Kingdom
Catchment Area | Europe | Foot Traffic Data | GDPR-Compliant
Irys | Mobility Data Insights | Global | Real-Time & Historical [Foot Traffic Data]
Reliable, Compliant, Precise Foot Traffic & Mobile Location Data | Real-Time, Aggregated Foot Traffic Data | Middle East
Foot Traffic Data | Global Consumer Visitation Insights To Inform Marketing and Operational Decisions | Mobile Location Data
Factori Geospatial Data | Global | Location Intelligence | POI , Foot Traffic, Store Visit
Global Quick Service Restaurant Location & Foot Traffic Data
Real-Time Foot-Traffic Data | Location Data | Mobility Data | Mobile Location Data | Global Coverage | 600+ Customers
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Top Foot Traffic Data Providers & Companies
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Gravy Analytics by Unacast
CoverageUSAUK+248VLeveraging geolocation data for Airport Planning. We provided a strong and successful case for adding flights to a medium sized airport. Two airlines added flights following the analysis. The successful pilot is being turned into a tool for airport administrators. In the tool, managers can see the origins and end destinations of travelers flowing through their terminals. They can also identify volume and type of leakage to other transportation terminals - both alternate airports and other modes of travel like bus and train. Gravy Analytics' data product showing visitations was optimal for this use case.
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Predik Data-driven
CoverageUSAUK+247VWe wanted to analyse the foot traffic data across Sydney. Predik provided quality traffic density heatmap and raw foot traffic data across Sydney Australia to support us with the use case. Highly recommended.
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Veraset
CoverageUSAUK+235Rebranded in 2019, we are a leader in location data, providing raw and pre-processed population movement datasets. We fuel innovation and empower leaders in startups, enterprises and the public sector to understand and predict population movement, thereby making more informed decisions.Opt-In100%CompliantCountry & StateDedup'dData -
Huq Industries
CoverageUSAUK+247VHuq’s data is real-time and that makes the data in the TE dashboard even stronger and more valuable. Both local and central government bodies will be able to use it to get a clearer picture of the real economic impacts of Covid-19 across the country. Benjamin Lucas (PhD, FHEA), Managing Director at 3DI
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DRAKO
CoverageUSAUK+248Drako Data is your trusted partner for value-added geolocation data solutions. We enhance and simplify data extraction, enabling clients to gain insights quickly and efficiently. Our aim is to empower your data-driven decision-making, driving your business forward.CCPACompliantSDKSourced Data5 YearsLookback -
Echo Analytics
CoverageUSAUK+248VThe recent webinar by Echo on their data collection process was excellent, very well explained and lucid. I understood how complex the process is to clean the data. Their product is a really interesting one.
Popular Use Cases for Foot Traffic Data
Foot traffic data is widely used by businesses, urban planners, and event organizers to improve decision-making. Applications include retail analytics, where businesses analyze visitor behavior to optimize store layouts, and out-of-home (OOH) advertising, leveraging traffic data to select high-visibility billboard locations and measure audience exposure. Additionally, footfall analytics helps measure visitor patterns in specific areas, providing insights into performance and market trends to inform strategies across various industries.
Main Attributes of Foot Traffic Data
Below, we outline the most popular attributes associated with this type of data—features that data buyers are actively seeking to meet their needs.
| Attribute | Type | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Float | The latitude of a point on earth's surface. Commonly abbreviated as "lat". | View 70 datasets | |
| Float | The longitude of a point on earth's surface. Commonly abbreviated as "long". | View 61 datasets | |
| String | The country code in Alpha-2 format (ISO 3166) | View 39 datasets | |
| String | The address of a company or contact (street name, number, zip code, city, county, country). | View 33 datasets | |
| String | The name of a state. | View 31 datasets | |
| String | The identifier (ID) of a location. | View 30 datasets |
Foot Traffic Data Use Cases in Detail
Foot traffic data has numerous use cases, ranging from understanding consumer behavior to optimizing business operations. It can be used for:
- Retail Site Selection: Evaluate potential store locations by understanding the footfall in an area.
- Advertising and Marketing: Target your campaigns more effectively by identifying high-traffic areas and times.
- Urban Planning: Assist governments and city planners in optimizing public infrastructure and services based on human movement patterns.
- Competitive Analysis: Track your competitors’ foot traffic and understand their customer base.
- Real Estate Investments: Analyze foot traffic data to determine the best locations for investments based on pedestrian activity.
How is Foot Traffic Data Collected?
Foot traffic data links individual movements to specific locations, gathered through various methods, each with strengths and weaknesses.
Micro-Level (e.g., Stores, Shopping malls):
- Bluetooth: Effective for tracking footfall in confined spaces using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology.
- WiFi: Reliable for tracking foot traffic within smaller areas without requiring direct phone connections.
Macro-Level (e.g., Shopping districts):
- GPS Location Data: Suitable for larger areas, providing broader but less precise location information.
Additional Foot Traffic Data collection methods:
- Laser Beams: Count people entering and exiting stores via beam interruptions.
- Thermal Imaging Sensors: Detect the number of individuals in an area, often visualized on heatmaps.
- Video Cameras: Record foot traffic data, offering visual confirmation and detailed analysis of movement patterns.
- AI and Facial Recognition Technology: Advanced methods for identifying and tracking individuals, though less popular due to privacy concerns and legal restrictions.
- Opt-In Location Tracking App: Visitors download an app and allow location tracking, providing detailed information on their movement.
- Foot Sensor Pressure Mats: Measure foot traffic by detecting pressure changes at specific points.
- Surveys: Collect information from visitors, though response rates can be a challenge.
- Clicker Counters: Require more manual effort.
How Does a Foot Traffic Counter work?
The foot traffic counter uses sensors, such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and infrared technology, to register customers entering or exiting a store by counting each time the beam is interrupted for real-time foot traffic data. Advanced solutions can determine the customer’s direction of movement, whether they’re coming in or going out. These devices typically use thermal imaging (body heat sensing) or video processing technologies. Counts may be segmented in real-time or split into intervals such as five minutes, thirty minutes, an hour, etc.
What Are the Attributes of Foot Traffic Data?
Foot traffic data includes the number of visitors to a certain place or area over a set period.
These are the key attributes:
- Timestamped Hours of Operation: Logs the exact hours when the location operates.
- Total Hours of Operation: Captures the complete number of operational hours over a given period.
- Number of Visitors in a POI Over Time: Tallies the visitors to a Point of Interest (POI) within a defined duration.
- Mobile Devices Located at a POI: Tracks the count of mobile devices at a specific spot.
- Accurate Location of the POI: Pinpoints the precise geographic coordinates of the location.
- Demographic Data About the POI: May include details such as age, gender, etc., of the visitors.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Foot Traffic Analytics | - Generate insights on visitor numbers, visit duration, and frequency. - Answer questions like how many people visit a store or walk by a business. |
| Trade Area Analysis | - Understand target customers’ locations and habits. - Create strategies based on actual human activity rather than mere proximity. |
| Investment Research | - Perform due diligence and manage portfolios with up-to-date business performance indicators. - Use frequently updated mobility data for timely research model adjustments. |
| Retailers & Marketing | - Improve site-selection decisions and track competitors. - Inform and measure marketing campaigns, create awareness, and gather consumer feedback. |
| Shopping Center Owners/Operators | - Attract high-value customers and make compelling leasing offers. - Identify acquisition opportunities. |
| Consumer Packaged Goods | - Understand consumer shopping behavior and measure brand demand. - Run effective local promotional campaigns. |
| Finance | - Discover new investment opportunities. - Incorporate visitation data into financial models and monitor portfolio companies. |
| Civic & Economic Development | - Promote regional attractiveness to retailers and businesses. - Drive sustainable economic growth. |
| Brokerages | - Identify prime properties and win representation. - Use data to facilitate transactions. |
| Hospitality | - Attract high-value customers and learn from competitors. - Make strategic decisions based on foot traffic insights. |
Why is it Important to Measure Foot Traffic Data in stores?
Measuring foot traffic in stores is vital because sales figures alone do not provide a complete picture of a company’s status. Foot traffic data offers benchmarks to assess performance with real-time insights. Understanding foot traffic patterns can highlight areas to optimize operations and identify expansion opportunities. For traditional street-side shops or those exploring offline sales to complement e-commerce, this data is indispensable. Purchasing foot traffic data online from data marketplaces allows businesses to refine their stores, enhance quality and customer service, and evaluate future performance based on footfall statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Accurate is Foot Traffic Data?
The accuracy of foot traffic data can vary depending on the provider, but most offer high precision with error margins as small as 19 meters in some datasets. Some datasets boast up to 100% deterministic accuracy by using verified GPS signals. Accuracy is often enhanced by cross-referencing multiple data sources and using advanced filtering techniques.
How Frequently is Foot Traffic Data Updated?
Foot traffic data can be updated daily, weekly, or even in real-time, depending on the data provider. Real-time data allows for immediate analysis of traffic patterns and trends, while historical data is often available for longer-term analysis, sometimes covering several years. If you need up-to-the-minute data for purposes like marketing or operational adjustments, real-time data is highly valuable.
How is Foot Traffic Data Delivered?
Foot traffic data is typically delivered in formats such as .csv, .json, or via APIs, making it easy to integrate into your systems or applications. Common delivery methods include S3 buckets, FTP, and direct email. For businesses that require ongoing updates, APIs provide seamless real-time data feeds, while others may prefer batch updates delivered periodically. Make sure to choose the delivery method that best suits your business needs.
How Much Does Foot Traffic Data Cost?
The cost of foot traffic data depends on various factors like the geographic coverage, update frequency, and volume of data. Pricing can range from a few cents per API call for small-scale access to thousands of dollars for full-year subscriptions with extensive geographic and temporal coverage. Many providers also offer free samples on Datarade so you can evaluate the data before committing to a purchase. For example, typical pricing models might start at $0.10 per API call or offer monthly licenses starting around $500, depending on the provider.
What Geographic Areas are Covered by Foot Traffic Data?
Foot traffic data is available for most regions around the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Depending on the provider, the data can cover specific cities, countries, or offer global reach. For instance, some datasets might focus on North American markets, while others provide data for over 200 countries globally.
Can Foot Traffic Data Be Combined with Other Data Types?
Yes, foot traffic data can be combined with other datasets such as demographic data, weather data, and sales data to generate more comprehensive insights. By integrating multiple data sources, you can create a more complete picture of consumer behavior, optimize operations, and make more informed decisions.
Is Foot Traffic a Retail Store KPI?
Yes, foot traffic is a significant KPI in retail. As a measurable value, it helps analyze how effectively a company meets business objectives. Various KPIs are utilized by organizations to track success in achieving targets. High-level KPIs typically assess overall company performance, while low-level KPIs focus on specific departments like sales, marketing, HR, and support. Foot traffic data addresses questions on customer retention, satisfaction, inventory metrics, turnover, and gross margin return on investment. Data marketplaces like Datarade offer foot traffic datasets suited to these particular needs.
How Long Does Footfall Data Collection Take?
Footfall data data is an overview of the number of customers going through and entering places like malls or workplaces. Analyzing foot traffic isn’t always easy. Your company may need answers to complex questions, such as which place has more traffic during the morning rush. As high-density areas need higher rentals, you need to determine how much foot traffic is enough to make the rent worthwhile. All this takes time, but it can be reduced by buying commercial foot traffic data from a data marketplace like Datarade.
