In March, the number of buyers in large Moscow shopping centers increased
The attendance of Moscow trade centers at the end of March, which is not characteristic for this period, increased by 8% of the year by the year. The main increase was provided by large -format objects, the attendance of which has fallen for the past three years. But in the absence of macroeconomic improvements, a positive trend may be short -term.
Mall Index (reflects the number of visitors by 1 thousand square meters of retail space) at the week on March 17–23 in Moscow increased by 8% by the year, counted in Focus Technologies. The most pronounced growth was shown by large -format objects with a lease area (GLA) of more than 40 thousand square meters. m. Their attendance added 11% a year to the year. The same increase in weekend shopping centers (GLA is more than 80 thousand square meters). In small and medium formats (GLA 5–40 thousand square meters) an increase is more restrained – 7%.
The vice-president of the Union of shopping centers Pavel Lyulin also noted a pronounced increase in the attendance of Moscow shopping centers: by 14% a year by the year. This value exceeds the indicator of 2023, he added. Evgeny Khakberdiev, regional director of the NF Group trade real estate department, says that the traffic of shopping centers is definitely more than last year: “Revolution can be considered as the beginning of recovery after a long decline.”
The growth of traffic in large traders is a new trend for the commercial real estate market.
After the departure of international brands from the market in the spring of 2022, their attendance for the year was predominantly reduced by the year, Mikhail Vasiliev, the head of research and consulting Focus Technologies, recalls. Over the past year, the reduction amounted to 2%. The growth of traffic was observed only in district facilities (see. « Kommersant » of October 24, 2024).
The end of March is an unusual period for revitalization, traditionally at that time shows a seasonal decline after gender holidays, says Pavel Lyulin. He connects a surge with the early arrival of spring, which can stimulate consumers to update the wardrobe. According to Focus Technologies, the attendance of Fehen-Rynithelers in the large-format tragenters of Moscow last week increased by 7% of the year by the year. Previously, this indicator decreased (see. « Kommersant » from March 7). Good weather stimulates the increase in tourist flow to Moscow from neighboring areas, it also affects the traffic of shopping centers, explains Mikhail Vasiliev.
BAON President Ilya Yaroshenko says that the growth of store attendance occurred immediately after the establishment of warm weather at the week on March 10-16.
“It is important for Feshen-rhythm that the weather corresponds to the climatic norm,” he explains. Kanzler Marketing Director Alexei Chernokoy says that at the end of March, the traffic of a chain stores in tragenters grew by 7.8% a year by the year. He connects the trend with good weather and the implementation of delayed demand. In early March there was a cooling, the expert recalls.
Mikhail Vasiliev notes that the attendance of the weekend shopping centers is growing due to a low base. Last year, their traffic sagged after the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall on March 22, as a result of which 145 people were killed, 551 was wounded. The first two weeks after the terrorist attack, the attendance of some shopping centers in Moscow decreased by 10-15% a year by the year, says Pavel Lyulin. But now the negative effect, according to him, is practically leveled. Although Ilya Yaroshenko points out that the attack was on Friday in the evening and could not significantly adjust the indicators of the whole week: the decline began on March 25 and lasted until mid -May.
The efforts of the trade centers themselves could influence attendance.
Faced with a decline in traffic, they expanded the entertainment and restaurant zones and updated the concepts, lists Mr. Lyulin. Although not all measures give a positive effect. Alexey Chernokoy says that this year many trade centers held shares dedicated to February 23 and March 8, but they did not affect the traffic positively.
The head of the IBC Real Estate trading real estate department, Vladimir, does not exclude that the current increase in attendance of shopping centers will be short -term. “There are no economic reasons for increasing trade,” he notes. For a sustainable trend, according to the expert, the growth of the year by the year should persist for three months. Pavel Lyulin believes that much will depend on macroeconomic factors and consumer sentiments.
