New retail traffic data shows that H-E-B is outperforming much of the grocery sector in 2026, demonstrating continued strength in customer engagement and store visits. According to data from retail analytics firm Placer.ai, H-E-B posted an 8.5% increase in store traffic in January compared to the same time last year, significantly outpacing overall grocery industry growth of 3.2%. The momentum carried into February, where visits rose another 8.2% year over year, again exceeding the broader industry’s 2.1% gain.
H-E-B’s performance remained strong into March, with traffic increasing by 5.2% even as total grocery store visits across the industry dipped slightly by 0.1%. This consistent outperformance highlights the retailer’s ability to maintain shopper loyalty and drive repeat visits despite broader market fluctuations. While Trader Joe’s also saw gains during the same period, H-E-B’s sustained growth across all three months underscores its particularly strong positioning in its core markets.
The data suggests that H-E-B’s approach of combining local brands, private label and value-focus, continues to resonate with shoppers. Its ability to grow traffic even as overall industry visits soften indicates a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining customers.
The Placer.ai data also found that warehouse club operator Costco has seen significant long-term traffic growth, with visits rising steadily throughout 2025 across all quarters. Target has also experienced consistent increases in weekly store traffic this year, pointing to improving customer engagement. However, H-E-B’s early 2026 performance stands out as one of the clearest examples of sustained traffic gains in a highly competitive grocery environment.
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