Propped up by increased foot traffic and government stimulus checks, US retailers Walmart, Macy's Inc and Home Depot have increased their quarterly sales estimates. According to data firm Placer.ai, visits to Walmart and Home Depot stores grew by 21.7 per cent and 23.6 per cent respectively in April as government eased restrictions and increased vaccinations.

This is a positive sign as consumers move toward a post-pandemic lifestyle and start to spend more for in-person activities, travel and events, says Jeff Ganette, CEO, Macy's. Customers are willing to get out and shop, adds Doug McMillion, CEO, Walmart which recently rolled back its mandatory mask rule for shoppers to encourage more store visits.

After US homebuilding jumped to a nearly 15-year high in March, Home Depot benefited from builders and contractors rushing to stores to get through a backlog of projects put on hold during the pandemic. The company expects this continued reopening and increasing travel to drive retail sales through 2021.