Banks, hardware stores, liquor stores, and grocery: These businesses are seeing foot-traffic bursts amid the coronavirus pandemic
Consumers flocked to banks to prepare financially for the crisis.
According to Foursquare, foot traffic to banks spiked around March 5, when the first few coronavirus deaths were reported in the US.
"People may have gone to their local bank branches to withdraw cash, apply for a loan, or otherwise make financial arrangements as the outbreak worsened," Foursquare noted.
Since then foot traffic has returned to more normal levels.
Hardware stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's have seen a surge in demand in recent weeks.
Between February 19 and March 20, foot traffic to hardware stores was up 26% in the US.
Reports from workers in stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's revealed that shoppers were buying items such as freezers to store supplies while preparing for self-isolation.
According to Foursquare, visits to hardware stores increased in Seattle and New York in particular during this time period.
Liquor stores have also seen increased foot traffic as customers are forced to stay at home.
With many bars and restaurants closed across the US, consumers have no choice but to drink at home.
According to Foursquare, the spike in visits to liquor stores started around March 11, shortly before the NBA shut down and Tom Hanks confirmed that he had tested positive for coronavirus, which may have made the outbreak "feel more 'real' to American consumers," Foursquare wrote.
New York seems to be the thirstiest of all cities examined by Foursquare, with liquor stores seeing a 29% increase in visits between February 19 and March 20.
Costco and its competitors are obvious choices for those stocking up.
Warehouse chains have experienced a surge in demand in recent weeks as consumers stock up on supplies.
According to Foursquare, these stores with locations in New York have seen a particular spike in the past month.
Grocery chains are seeing a similar trend to warehouse stores.
Grocery stores are universally considered to be "essential" businesses that should stay open.
And panicked shoppers have been flooding these stores across the US since the outbreak began. Foursquare data shows that there was a "sharp spike" in visits to these stores after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on March 13, indicating that consumers concerned about having access to food were stocking up to prepare for the worst.
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