CHICAGO – December 23, 2008 - ShopperTrak’s retail traffic index (SRTI) today reported that total U.S. foot traffic for the last Saturday before Christmas (12/20), or Super Saturday, fell a sharp 17.0 percent as compared to Super Saturday 2007, while the company’s retail sales estimate (NRSE) reported a 0.5 percent sales increase for the same period.

Retail traffic showed a significant decline for this critical holiday shopping period as the current state of the economy combined with inclement weather throughout much of the country may have curbed consumer trips to various malls and retail outlets. Additionally, the 2008 calendar shift most likely influenced Super Saturday retail traffic as Super Saturday 2007 (12/22/07) received more of a boost from procrastinating shoppers as the day was two days closer to Christmas. Historically, Super Saturday 2007 ($8.7 billion) increased 2.0 percent over the same period in 2006.

Although total U.S. foot traffic significantly declined, ShopperTrak's NRSE reported Super Saturday retail sales rose a slight 0.5 percent ($8.75 billion) compared to last year as consumers continued the trend of efficient shopping during this rather challenging 2008 holiday season. Retail sales for Super Saturday 2007 increased a slight 0.1 percent as versus the same period in 2006.

“Super Saturday's performance highlights the continued economic pressures on the American consumer this holiday shopping season ,” said Bill Martin, co-founder of ShopperTrak. “That being said, with the current economy and rather poor weather this past weekend, focused consumers still efficiently planned retail visits around deeply discounted items and proved they were willing to spend more on fewer trips.” Martin continued: “We still anticipate Super Saturday will be the number two performing day this holiday shopping season, behind Black Friday.”

ShopperTrak also reports year-over-year sales for the week ending December 20 fell 6.5 percent, while sales versus the previous week ending December 13 increased a strong 22.5 percent. Total U.S. foot traffic for the same period versus the 2007 comparison week ending December 22, fell 24.0 percent.

The SRTI is generated from a carefully drawn sample of more than 50,000 retail and enclosed mall locations throughout the United States. The product is a set of six calculated indices for select segments of the retail industry that compare current week mall or store traffic to a baseline traffic figure from a fixed week on the NRF calendar. The SRTI is priced by individual segment.

Developed by ShopperTrak, the NRSE provides a nationwide benchmark of retail sales. It is derived from the U.S. Commerce Department's GAFO (general merchandise, apparel, furniture, sporting goods, electronics, hobby, books and other related store sales) statistic, as well as ShopperTrak's proprietary industry intelligence on shopper movement and sales statistics. This gives retailers, investors and policy makers the most accurate and timely information on consumer trends available today.

A privately held entity, ShopperTrak leverages 20 years of retail expertise to be the industry's authority for information and analysis of the movement of shoppers in retail environments. ShopperTrak's cutting-edge shopper tracking products and indices offer retail intelligence solutions that enable companies to better understand retail trends and the impact of store and staff performance on company revenues. With more than 50,000 units installed in the world's best known retail outlets and malls, the company's solutions also provide a proven means for retailers to gauge labor efficiencies, advertising and marketing efforts, store design and remodeling programs, merchandise changes, associate training programs, and other budget-intensive strategic initiatives. For more information visit http://www.shoppertrak.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The data contained within this news release is the property of ShopperTrak RCT Corporation and may be reprinted, published or broadcast, provided proper credit is given to the National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE), Retail Traffic Index (SRTI) and ShopperTrak RCT Corporation as the supplier of the information. Please contact Aaron Martin at 312-943-9100 if you have any questions concerning the use of this data.