Retail Managers Report Stable Sales, Modest Price Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns.

Two-thirds of retail and restaurant store managers in the Northeast reported that their 2025 sales were equal to or higher than 2024 levels, with customer traffic either increasing or holding steady, according to a new survey by Levin Management Corporation.

The annual survey of tenants across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia also found that about seven in 10 respondents expect sales performance to improve in 2026, though nearly the same share said they are closely monitoring inflation, rising operating costs and consumer confidence.

Levin Management Corporation owns and/or operates 125 retail properties totaling more than 16 million square feet across those states.

“2026 is shaping up as a year where execution will matter more than ever,” Levin CEO Matthew K. Harding says in a news release. “With consumers focused on value, retailers are doubling down on fundamentals — strong service, tight inventory discipline and technology that improves efficiency in the store.”

More than 70% of respondents reported higher holiday sales in 2025, while 17% said sales declined vs. the prior year.

In response to inflation, 25% of the managers surveyed said they did not raise prices, while nearly 40% reported price increases of less than 10%, suggesting a trend toward modest adjustments rather than broad price increases. Looking ahead, 35% said they anticipate raising prices in 2026, while 45% said they were unsure, reflecting continued uncertainty around costs and consumer demand.

When asked to identify the primary advantage of brick-and-mortar retail, 40% cited in-person customer service and support. Other responses included the social experience of shopping in person (18%), brand and loyalty building (16%), product discovery (13%) and immediate product availability (9%).

Separate data from Placer.ai’s Mall Index showed that mall traffic increased across all retail formats in January. Open-air shopping centers recorded the largest gains, with visits up 6.2% compared with January 2025. Indoor malls posted a 4.5% increase, while outlet centers saw visits rise 3.6%.

Placer.ai reported that mall traffic was heavily concentrated in the first two weeks of January, consistent with the post-holiday returns period. Traffic declined more sharply in the final week of the month due to Winter Storm Fern, which affected visits across all mall formats.

The data also showed that the strongest traffic gains were driven by short visits. Trips lasting 10 minutes or less increased by double digits across all formats, led by indoor malls, which saw a 27% increase in short visits. Outlet malls followed with a 21.1% increase, while open-air shopping centers recorded a 10.8% rise.