The future of shopping centres: beyond conventional wisdom

In order for shopping centres across the country to succeed going forward, a critical transformation is required // By George Minakakis, Founder and CEO of Inception Retail Group, and Author of ‘The New Bricks & Mortar Future Proofing Retail‘

Reimagining the future of shopping centres is often on the minds of retailers and developers, whether through digital transformation, experiential retail, or omnichannel strategies. While these often-discussed concepts are essential, they overlook shifts that will shape the future of these spaces. As we move further into the 21st century, shopping centres will not only change, but may become entirely reimagined spaces that serve multiple functions extending far beyond their original purpose. This transformation, driven by the needs and expectations of Generations Alpha and Beta, presents an innovative and intriguing vision of the future of retail. Shopping mall operators should consider them now to secure the future of indoor and outdoor malls.

Rising generations

Within the next 20 years, the landscape of shopping centres will be intensely influenced by the needs and expectations of generations Alpha and Beta. These generations are coming of age in a world where economic challenges and technological adoption persist, demanding more from these spaces than previous generations - a refuge and shopping access that inspires rather than promotes disillusion. Today, sixty per cent of the population lives paycheck to paycheck—and this will be a future economic reality that will be passed down—so shopping centres must evolve to offer value, accessibility, and purpose-driven experiences that resonate with these future consumers. Their parents, in their 30s and 40s, worry about their children’s futures. As such, malls have a unique opportunity to empower and shape the communities they serve.

Shopping centres can become social ecosystems, where retail is only one of many purposes, filling a more reflective social need in a world progressively defined by remote work and digital everything. Shifting into community hubs, shopping centres can host coworking spaces, educational workshops, and even wellness centres, blurring the lines between commerce and community.

Urban spaces will become more congested, and shopping centres could evolve into micro-urban environments. Shopping centres where you can live, work, play, and shop are already planned. These centres would reduce the need for transportation, tapping into the planning vision of municipalities of 15-minute commutable cities.

As the environmental issues continue as a global challenge, shopping centres can integrate green functionalities and create settings supporting, promoting, and providing clean water, air, and energy. They may even identify sustainable retailers for consumers to find more easily. As consumers demand more transparency, developers will have to deliver it.

Shopping centres must evolve

Their one-size-fits-all model is getting stale. Shopping venues should reflect the social and economic dynamics of their local demographics. Some might feature innovation labs, tech expos, and maker spaces in areas with a high concentration of tech companies. In contrast, a centre in a suburban district might prioritize restaurants, entertainment, and art events to allow consumers to decompress.

While the integration of digital and physical retail is a common categorization of how and what technology has changed, the future of shopping centres must embrace emerging technologies to keep up with customers and retailers alike. Machine-driven AI experiences will unify humans and their devices, creating an opportunity for the physical space of a shopping centre to engage digitally. Personal AI assistants are coming, and they will create immersive experiences, creating a significant opportunity for retailers and shopping centres.

Retail as a service

My favourite opportunity is retail as a service (RaaS). It is a concept that’s sure to raise some eyebrows across the industry. Both in terms of what it means as well as the ways by which it can be delivered. Both retailers and consumers can benefit from these platforms which can be introduced as subscription services.

model would allow shopping centre operators to adapt quicker to market changes and consumer preferences.

Of course, there is also healthcare, which has been limited to dentistry and eyecare in shopping centres. Other services will increasingly become consumer-centric, integrating healthcare devices into various physical services, offering exclusive and holistic treatments, and strengthening one’s wellness. This would be akin to new retail therapy aimed at health and longevity for all demographics.

Ultimately, the goal is to continue driving foot traffic. However, this transformation, like most others, calls for leadership with a vision to not just adapt to new trends, but to become dynamic entities that serve a broader purpose.