Cost of living pressures, costly parking fees and lack of shopper convenience are some of the reasons why consumers are turning away from city-based shopping precincts to shop at local shopping centres this festive season.
According to Vicki Leavy, General Manager of JMK Retail, one of Australia’s leading shopping centre developers and owners, many consumers will shop local this year compared to previous years.
“Our numbers are already showing a marked increase in foot traffic and retail sales across the board in the lead up to Christmas. It is clear that consumers want to shop local and they see better value and convenience in the offerings available close to home,” Ms Leavy said.
“Community based shopping centres have also experienced a strong resurgence due to their strategic repositioning in the market. They have readjusted their market positioning and upscaled in terms of look, feel, ambience, quality, layout and offerings.
“This has helped local shopping centres attract a better mix of retailers and brands while also incorporating more lifestyle offerings such as health, wellness and casual dining,” she said.
JMK Retail owns a number of profile sub regional and suburban shopping centres throughout Queensland which boast a quality mix of local, national and international retailers, free parking, casual dining precincts, free festive and family activities and much more. JMK Retail’s latest shopping centre, Yamanto Central, located west of Brisbane, just won the Australian Property Council’s 2024 Excellence in Design award.
“Across our portfolio of centres, we now offer some of the world’s leading retailers,” Ms Leavy said. “Shoppers no longer have to travel into the big smoke to access profile products. They can purchase them close to home and enjoy free parking in the process.”
Ms Leary says the reasons for festive shoppers to shop local this year include:
- Convenience at your doorstep.
- Support for local businesses.
- Personalised service.
- Unique finds and hidden gems.
- Community events and activities.
- Reduced environmental impact.
“With the festive season in full swing and shopping lists longer, it’s the perfect time to discover the many benefits of shopping at your local shopping centre. While big city stores may seem alluring, local centres are packed with advantages that make them the smarter and more rewarding choice for shoppers this year,” she said.
