These results consolidate this industry as one of the main driving engines of the retail sector in Spain, as was pointed out by the Asociación Española de Centros y Parques Comerciales (Spanish Association of Shopping Centres and Retail Parks) - AECC,’s CEO Javier Hortelano, at the sector’s annual balance presentation.
Shopping centres and retail parks’ sales last year reached 45.255 million euro according to data from AECC, which represents a 2.9% increase over 2017. Shopping centres and retail parks were visited in 2018 by 1.963 million people, a 3.2% increase yoy. The market share concerning its reference sector remains at 17.7%.
For AECC, the vigour and capacity for change within this sector is manifested in a unique way through the new projects and expansions predicted for the coming years. During this period, it is expected for 17 new shopping centres to be opened which adds a further 650.000 sqm of new commercial areas.
Concerning the investment in shopping centres and retail parks’ operations, during 2018 2.200 million euro were invested, somewhat less than in 2017, but very much in line with the numbers reached in the last few years, which have provided investment records
Javier Hortelano highlights the sector’s strength «which is manifested each year in the results» but also remarks «that we have a great capacity to adapt and change, we are able to reinvent ourselves in order to face the public’s new demands who, besides shopping, is also looking for significant leisure experiences».