Poles return to more spontaneous shopping: expert

According to Anna Szmeja, president of Retail Institute, the situation in shopping centers is slowly stabilizing. Sales and footfall results have been gradually improving since May. The smallest objects do best. Galleries located in the centers of large cities, which are heavily dependent on clients from large office buildings, are still struggling with considerable drops. It is them who will take the longest time to return to the growth path.

Since May, the number of people who visit shopping malls has been slowly increasing, which translates into the turnover of companies that operate in their area.

"Already in June their results were 26 percent higher than in May, but weaker than a year ago by 15 percent. The situation varies depending on the size of companies and the industry in which they operate, but they are generally starting to recover," Anna Szmeja emphasized.

The data from 140 facilities monitored by the Retail Institute show that the first half of the year closed more than 30 percent decrease in turnover and footfall on an annual basis. Data for July and the first weeks of August show, however, that the declines are getting smaller.

The situation is good mainly in the electronics segment, which is recording marked increases, as well as in DIY and interior stores. According to the expert from the Retail Institute, small and very small centers are still doing much better. Inner-city facilities, which are largely dependent on the mobility of Poles and large office buildings, where clients are today employees working remotely, are still struggling with considerable drops.

(Newseria)