Intelligent Designs: What’s Behind the Space Strategy in Mexican Malls?

Mexico's shopping malls are microcosms of recreation and business, where multiple sectors and subsectors compete for consumer attention. The composition of spaces and tenants can vary significantly depending on their size. Although, at first glance, large and small malls might seem to operate similarly, data from SiiLA tells a different story.

For example, if you enter a super-regional mall—massive properties with over 75,000 square meters—you'll notice that department stores, supermarkets, and clothing and footwear brands occupy a large portion of the space. These subsectors account for roughly 74% of the total space in large malls. To put this in perspective, three out of every four stores are dedicated to these retailers, which often function as "anchors," drawing in most of the foot traffic. In contrast, in mid-sized malls, like power centers or lifestyle centers, this figure drops to 50%. However, this is still a significant portion of the total.

So, what happens with the remaining space? That's where other key players come in. After department stores, clothing, and supermarkets, the next big tenants are restaurants, bars, and cinemas. In large malls, these occupy about 13% of the space, while in mid-sized malls, they take up a bit more—around 20%. In short, consumer goods and entertainment are omnipresent in any well-sized mall in Mexico. These spaces are not just for shopping but for experiencing various activities.

The dynamic is a bit different for smaller properties, like community centers. In these centers, 54% of the space is occupied by supermarkets, cinemas, and clothing and footwear stores. Department stores, restaurants, and bars take up an additional 14%. Because these centers are more compact, they prioritize basic needs and local entertainment, giving them a different personality from larger malls, which focus more on mass consumption, or mid-sized malls, which balance experience and convenience.

Despite their differences, all malls in Mexico share a common theme: the dominance of consumer goods, food, and entertainment sectors. Between 85% and 92% of the occupied space in any mall, regardless of its size, is dedicated to these categories, with department stores, clothing, supermarkets, cinemas, and restaurants as the main players.

In addition to these major tenants, other businesses also play a key role in the consumer experience. Personal services, such as gyms and beauty salons, along with banks, occupy between 7% and 14% of the space. Other businesses that contribute to the malls' ecosystem include technology stores, bookshops, and specialty goods stores. While their presence is smaller, they reflect how shopping malls are safe spaces designed to become integral to people’s everyday lives.