The Union Square-14th Street District remains a flagship location for shopping and dining, a new market report finds.

Union Square Partnership, a nonprofit promoting the district’s businesses and progress, released its annual analysis of Union Square’s economic trends on Friday and found that public investments in the surrounding area have improved foot traffic and commercial operations, with storefront occupancy in the USP Business Improvement District reaching 90.1% as of last month.

“The data in this year’s Commercial Market Report reinforce why Union Square continues to be a neighborhood of choice for businesses, institutions and innovators,” Julie Stein, executive director of USP, said in a Friday press release.

Stein attributed the district’s consistent foot traffic and “enduring appeal” to Union Square’s diverse array of local shops and global brands. Over 51 businesses opened in the square this past year, including the flagship locations for Nespresso and Japanese clothing brand, UNIQLO, and another 24 will open in the coming months. The square’s Broadway plaza has become home to retail programming and seasonal events, hosting popularized experiences for brands such as Nike, Samsung, and MAC Cosmetics.

Public realm investments proved beneficial for the shopping district, the most notable being expanded access to the square as a full-block pedestrian plaza. The report found that two years after the change was made, storefronts on Broadway between 17th and 18th Streets reached 100% storefront occupancy. 

Visitation to the square remained strong with increased subway and Citi Bike service, allowing an average 347,600 daily visitors in the past year.mThe block peaked in Q2 2026 with an average of 45,900 visitors a day, revealing a 16.2% increase from the same quarter in 2025.

USP released its Q2 2026 Biz & Broker Report alongside the 2026 Union Square analysis, highlighting GrowNYC’s Union Square Market, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary, as a main attraction for new businesses and clientele. The nearby Broadway Plaza saw an 8% increase in foot traffic on Greenmarket days in comparison to non-market days in Q2.

Other public projects worked to increase curb appeal, such as plans to enhance public spaces along 14th Street between the Hudson and East River. Stein added that these projects work to improve the local community and “ensure Union Square remains a dynamic, desirable place to work, visit and invest for years to come.”