After six months of 2024 the average vacancy rate in the city has dropped more than twice from 6.3% to 2.8%, which became possible due to the lease of vacant space in IKEA stores by Megamarket marketplace (more than 55,000 sq m).

In the first half of 2024, the number of new shop openings rose to 103, exceeding the previous year’s result by 12%.

Traditionally, the fashion segment is the leader by the number of openings and the amount of leased space. The second place by the number of new openings is claimed by catering outlets that surged as compared to the previous year — 16 vs 5 openings respectively, mainly due to the appearance of new outlets within food halls. The segment of sporting goods (11 new points of sale, 6,750 sq m) completes the top three leaders in terms of openings. The appearance of brands such as Desport and Lamoda Sport on the market at the end of 2023, as well as their aggressive expansion in the city’s shopping centres allowed this segment to claim 25% of the total occupied space in the first half of the year.

In addition, the share of fitness and entertainment spaces is growing. DDX Fitness will open its first clubs in SEC Galeria and Passage Trade House in Q3 2024, while Spirit Fitness has already launched its operations in SC Nevsky Centre. A new operator — Termoland thermal spa — will soon open in SEC Leto.

Shopping centres are increasingly focused on multiple formats. As a result, the share of fitness and entertainment spaces in the tenant mix keeps growing, thus making visits to shopping centres more alluring. Brands are also expanding the range of services offered to customers, improving brand perception and increasing brand value in the eyes of shoppers. New in-store services such as cafes, game rooms, lounge areas, shopping customization and stylist services are becoming increasingly popular.