“And even when the economy recovers and large shopping centers are operating at full capacity, district malls will still be able to retain customers. They are not far to reach, they will create a good leisure component, and for a certain consumer they will remain the main centers of shopping and spending time,” Vladimir Pesterov believes.
However, according to experts, the future belongs to modern shopping centers. “One of the new formats that has shown itself to be very successful is a multifunctional shopping center (MFC), which is part of a housing complex, business centers, a transport interchange hub,” Solovieva says.
This cluster includes residential and office real estate, so the IFC is a modern, balanced format that feeds itself: on weekdays, office employees and mothers on maternity leave come here, on weekends - residents of the cluster and houses located in the coverage area, and the object feels enough stable and balanced due to the general concept of infrastructure development around.
Such multifunctional complexes are, for example, Moscow's Fili Grad, Vodny, Discovery: housing developers immediately put shopping centers into the construction of the cluster. In the Fili Grad shopping center, in addition to the shops themselves, there is a boxing studio, a swimming studio for babies, a ballet studio, various circles, master classes and many other services necessary for a full life for the residents of the area.
“These properties have huge potential. They are distinguished by modern interiors, thoughtful concept, a fundamentally new approach to the district shopping center, becoming a great place for recreation, entertainment and shopping,” concludes Elena Solovyova.
Text: Svetlana Kulikova