As we cross the midpoint of 2026, foot traffic data offers a revealing snapshot of how Long Island’s retail centers are performing. Using Placer.ai location analytics, we analyzed year-to-date visits (January through early July) across seven of the region’s major malls and compared them to the same period in 2025.
The headline: Long Island mall traffic is remarkably resilient. Across the seven centers, aggregate visits came in around 30.6 million, down only about 3% year-over-year — a modest dip that reflects stability rather than decline in a retail environment that continues to evolve.
The Standouts
Two properties bucked the downward trend. Walt Whitman Shops in Huntington Station led the pack with a 4% increase in visits, reinforcing the strength of upscale, experience-driven retail. Roosevelt Field in Garden City, the region’s largest traditional mall by volume, edged up 1% to 8.76 million visits — an impressive showing for a center of its scale.
Holding the Line
The region’s core anchors posted essentially flat results. Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream drew 9.49 million visits (down 4%), the highest raw traffic in the group. Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove and Tanger Outlets Deer Park each dipped just 1%, landing at 3.87 million and 2.44 million visits respectively. These numbers fall well within normal seasonal fluctuation.
Watching Closely
Broadway Commons in Hicksville saw a steeper 11% decline, a trend worth monitoring in the second half of the year. Sunrise Mall in Massapequa, now largely inactive amid ongoing redevelopment, recorded roughly 302,000 visits — a figure best understood as reflecting its transitional status rather than typical mall performance.
Traffic at a Glance
| Mall | Visits (YTD 2026) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Green Acres Mall | 9.49M | -4% |
| Roosevelt Field | 8.76M | +1% |
| Smith Haven Mall | 3.87M | -1% |
| Broadway Commons | 3.11M | -11% |
| Walt Whitman Shops | 2.65M | +4% |
| Tanger Outlets Deer Park | 2.44M | -1% |
| Sunrise Mall | 301.7K | -44% |
The Takeaway
Long Island’s retail landscape remains fundamentally healthy at the midpoint of 2026. The strongest performers are the centers that lean into experience and destination shopping, while established anchors continue to draw consistent traffic. As back-to-school and holiday seasons approach, these centers are well positioned for the busiest months ahead.
Data source: Placer.ai foot traffic analytics, YTD 2026 vs. YTD 2025 (Jan 1 – Jul 5).