Panel SA: Shopping malls register a reduction in unoccupied stores

Shopping center managers have seen an increase in the occupancy rate of stores after the relaxation of sanitary restrictions.

According to Glauco Humai, president of Abrasce (Brazilian Association of Shopping Centers), the year 2022 is seen by the sector with optimism and caution.

He states that the vacancy rate is around 6.5% – the rate was around 10% during the pandemic. When Covid arrived in Brazil, many shopkeepers projected a scenario of migration to high street stores, a prediction that was later accentuated by the increase in rental prices in malls.

“We knew that [a alta taxa de vacância durante a pandemia] it was a momentary movement, and that the resumption of the opening of malls, the economy and the movement of people would make shopkeepers return. This has been happening month to month,” he says.

However, the positive results, according to Humai, should slow down throughout 2022 and regain strength at the end of the year, because of the World Cup, the elections and Black Friday.

Saphyr Shoppings, which operates in São Paulo, Bahia, Alagoas, Roraima, Amazonas and Acre, says that it opened more than 20 brands in a month.

Multiplan closed the first quarter of the year with 110 new stores.

BrMalls reports an occupancy rate of 97%, the highest rate in recent years.

Aliansce Sonae points to an occupancy rate of 96.6% in the first three months of 2022.

Joana Cunha with Paulo Ricardo Martins and Gilmara Santos