Shopping centres, once synonymous with browsing high-street stores, are undergoing a drastic makeover as landlords seek innovative ways to attract customers in an era where online shopping has taken hold.
Gone are the days when jostling for a spot at Primark was the main event. Instead, developers are bringing sports and health-related activities into the mix, from zip wires to rock climbing walls, in a bid to create immersive experiences that draw in consumers. This shift is driven by the growing demand for socialising and interactive entertainment.
Leisure operators such as Zip World and Go Ape are already exploring opportunities with shopping centre landlords, while US-based group Five Iron has signed up 10 UK sites for its hi-tech golf simulators and coaching facilities. The latter's first location in Broadgate, central London, is set to become a hotspot for entertainment seekers.
As a result, former department stores are being repurposed as leisure destinations. For example, the old Debenhams site on Wandsworth High Street has been transformed into Gravity, featuring go-karting, mini-golf and darts. Meanwhile, Bluewater in Kent is set to open an outdoor events arena, as well as hosting padel courts.
The trend for experiential retail has led to a significant increase in footfall at shopping centres. According to the British Retail Consortium survey, shopper numbers have remained steady despite a decline in overall retail sales. Vive King, chair of Revo, notes that consumers are increasingly seeking "memorable, shared moments" and "experiences" over traditional browsing.
This shift towards experiential retail is particularly evident among younger generations. Gen Z and millennials are prioritising self-improvement and interactive activities, such as yoga studios and immersive play. Bruce Findlay, managing director of LandSec, notes that people are craving new ideas and "creating wonder" through events like Europe's biggest bouncy castle in Braintree.
Retailers are responding by offering a broader range of activities and experiences. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has seen its leisure provision increase by 39% since 2022, while Westfield is set to open the Wake the Tiger art experience in London. Even Go Ape is considering moving beyond its park locations if the right space becomes available.
The impact of this trend cannot be overstated. Smaller shopping centres are struggling to stay afloat as retailers opt for smaller, more profitable stores. According to analysis, around 60 of the UK's 500 bigger shopping centres will likely be demolished completely, while another 200 may undergo partial redevelopment.
Landlords are responding by adapting to changing consumer demands and offering a range of activities that can't be replicated online. With many retailers focusing on smaller footprints, shopping centre landlords are seizing the opportunity to create vibrant destinations that attract visitors from far and wide.
Gone are the days when jostling for a spot at Primark was the main event. Instead, developers are bringing sports and health-related activities into the mix, from zip wires to rock climbing walls, in a bid to create immersive experiences that draw in consumers. This shift is driven by the growing demand for socialising and interactive entertainment.
Leisure operators such as Zip World and Go Ape are already exploring opportunities with shopping centre landlords, while US-based group Five Iron has signed up 10 UK sites for its hi-tech golf simulators and coaching facilities. The latter's first location in Broadgate, central London, is set to become a hotspot for entertainment seekers.
As a result, former department stores are being repurposed as leisure destinations. For example, the old Debenhams site on Wandsworth High Street has been transformed into Gravity, featuring go-karting, mini-golf and darts. Meanwhile, Bluewater in Kent is set to open an outdoor events arena, as well as hosting padel courts.
The trend for experiential retail has led to a significant increase in footfall at shopping centres. According to the British Retail Consortium survey, shopper numbers have remained steady despite a decline in overall retail sales. Vive King, chair of Revo, notes that consumers are increasingly seeking "memorable, shared moments" and "experiences" over traditional browsing.
This shift towards experiential retail is particularly evident among younger generations. Gen Z and millennials are prioritising self-improvement and interactive activities, such as yoga studios and immersive play. Bruce Findlay, managing director of LandSec, notes that people are craving new ideas and "creating wonder" through events like Europe's biggest bouncy castle in Braintree.
Retailers are responding by offering a broader range of activities and experiences. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has seen its leisure provision increase by 39% since 2022, while Westfield is set to open the Wake the Tiger art experience in London. Even Go Ape is considering moving beyond its park locations if the right space becomes available.
The impact of this trend cannot be overstated. Smaller shopping centres are struggling to stay afloat as retailers opt for smaller, more profitable stores. According to analysis, around 60 of the UK's 500 bigger shopping centres will likely be demolished completely, while another 200 may undergo partial redevelopment.
Landlords are responding by adapting to changing consumer demands and offering a range of activities that can't be replicated online. With many retailers focusing on smaller footprints, shopping centre landlords are seizing the opportunity to create vibrant destinations that attract visitors from far and wide.
! From zip wires to golf simulators, they're getting all sorts of rad activities 
. In fact, did you know that 60% of the UK's bigger shopping centres will be demolished or redeveloped in the next few years? 
That's crazy! And it's not just about big malls either - even smaller shopping centres are getting in on the action with padel courts and outdoor events arenas 
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. And it looks like shopping centres are finally listening 
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just saw this news about shopping centres getting a major upgrade! i'm so stoked about it lol
they're bringing zip wires, rock climbing walls, and even golf simulators into the mix? what's not to love?! 
i'm living for the idea of former department stores being repurposed as leisure destinations... like who needs traditional browsing when you can have go-karting and mini-golf? 
and omg, gen z and millennials are prioritizing self-improvement and interactive activities? yes please! 
i'm so here for the shift towards experiential retail - it's about creating memorable moments with friends and family, not just mindlessly shopping online. 
anyway, can't wait to check out these new leisure spots... 
! Shopping centres used to just be about browsing stores, but now they're becoming like mini-entertainment parks 
! Zip wires, rock climbing walls, and even golf simulators are all being added to make the experience more fun for customers. It's great that landlords are catching on and adapting to changing consumer habits.
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I mean, who doesn't want to spend their Saturday night playing mini-golf or go-karting while shopping? 
It's like, the ultimate luxury, right? 
But then again, isn't it just a bunch of overpriced nonsense that's going to make me regret ever wanting to shop in the first place? 
I guess what I'm saying is, I'm both for and against this whole thing at the same time... 
... they're moving away from just browsing high-street stores. Now, it's all about creating fun experiences! Zip wires, rock climbing walls, golf simulators - you name it 
. People want to socialize and have interactive entertainment, not just buy stuff.
. And Bluewater in Kent is getting an outdoor events arena and padel courts 
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. Retailers are catching on by offering more than just shopping - they're creating events and experiences that can't be online 
. Some might even get demolished or redeveloped 
It's like they're trying to make shopping centres the ultimate hangout spots again. And it's not just about kids either, I've seen so many grown adults who love trying out new activities and experiences. I remember when my friends and I used to hang out in our local mall, it was all about browsing stores, but now it feels like a whole different vibe. 
. The younger gen is all about self-improvement and interactive stuff, so retailers gotta step up their game 
It just goes to show that you can't always rely on just browsing stuff online – people still want to experience life, you know? 
. It's like we're living in a different era where online shopping is king 
. Some of these new additions sound pretty cool tho, like go-karting and hi-tech golf simulators 
. It's not just about browsing anymore; it's about socializing, playing, and even improving yourself 
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. The gravity centre at Wandsworth High Street sounds like so much fun! 
Either way, I think it's awesome that landlords are shaking things up and giving customers a reason to visit in person