MRI Software partners with Fatti Location to deliver advanced retail analytics to South African shopping centres

Combining AI-enabled footfall technology with Wi-fi tracking creates a comprehensive picture of the customer journey

Cape Town, 16 September 2025 – In a strategic effort to enhance retail performance through data-driven insights, MRI Software, a global leader in real estate solutions and services, has joined forces with Pretoria-based location analytics specialist Fatti Location to offer comprehensive retail footfall analytics for the South African market. This partnership combines complementary technologies to bring advanced footfall analytics to local shopping and retail destinations, helping landlords and asset managers gain deeper visibility into visitor behaviour and centre performance.

Already used across the UK and other global markets, MRI OnLocation Footfall Analytics provides real-time foot traffic data, journey mapping, and behavioural insights that support informed decision-making in complex retail environments. The partnership combines MRI’s camera-enabled foot traffic with Fatti’s Wi-fi-enabled tracking to deliver comprehensive data in and around a location. With the solution now available across South Africa, retail leaders will be able to assess centre usage patterns and support leasing negotiations with greater confidence.

OnLocation Footfall Analytics provides landlords and centre managers with the ability to understand how their spaces are being used. Not just how many people visit but how they move, where they dwell, and how that changes over time. By bringing this level of insight into the hands of South African retail leaders, we’re enabling them to make more strategic, data-informed decisions.

-Mark Fairweather, Managing Director Africa at MRI Software

Connecting global tech with local expertise

The partnership between MRI Software and Fatti Location combines global PropTech expertise with trusted local infrastructure and support. Fatti brings a wealth of experience in real-time location services (RTLS) and behavioural analytics with deployments across shopping centres, stadia, airports, universities, and cruise liners. Their technology tracks up to 70% of all visitors in a space, providing continuous journey paths and behavioural insights.

Fatti’s capabilities align well with our mission to provide flexible, connected solutions for retail property professionals. Together, we’re delivering a comprehensive platform tailored to South African needs – one that’s proven globally yet grounded in local knowledge.

MRI OnLocation Footfall Analytics provides visibility into visitor behaviour across key metrics such as foot traffic volumes, dwell times, and movement patterns. It ensures full anonymity of individuals and does not collect personal information, fully meeting privacy regulations. The insights can help inform discussions around space utilisation, tenant mix, and the performance of in-centre initiatives. By identifying areas of high activity, tracking repeat visits, or comparing patterns over time, property teams are better equipped to make data-informed decisions that reflect the realities of shopper behaviour.