MAPIC: Big is better when it comes to shopping centres, according to a global study of consumer trends by CBRE.
The agent, which surveyed more than 40,000 people in 30 global markets, found that half of consumers had a preference for large covered shopping centres, with a fifth preferring to shop in uncovered malls or on the high street. Covered malls were particularly popular with the young demographic.
Small covered centres were most popular with the over 55s, those on middle to low incomes and consumers living in Hungary, Switzerland and France.
High street shopping was most prevalent in the Netherlands and Belgium, where the development environment has not supported the growth of large malls.
Some 28% of consumers surveyed said they thought that big regional shopping centres would be the only places worth shopping in the future.
Despite 79% of consumers using the internet at some point in the shopping process – to research prices, check details and availability – visiting shops remains the preferred method of purchase. Some 87% still visit a store to buy products, CBRE found.
Two-thirds of those surveyed said they expected to visit shops as much in the future as they do now.
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