Top 10 Most Popular Shopping Malls in the World
1. New South China Mall – China
New South China Mall is located in Dongguan City, China. It started in 2005 and faced a major challenge, estimated to have held a low share of less than 10% last year.
During this period, the mall gained a reputation as a dead mall due to its low occupancy and visitor traffic. The mall has more than 2,350 stores offering a wide range of products from all over the world.
The mall underwent a major renovation in 2015 and re-established itself after many tenants increased traffic and manpower. The shopping mall is situated on an area of 892,000 square meters.
2. SM Tianjin – China
A property owned and managed by leading supermarket brand SM Prime Holdings, SM Tianjin Mall holds its second position worldwide. The mall opened in 2016 and has more than 2,500 stores.
The mall is located on an area of 565,000 square meters and has one of the most modern facilities in the area. It is located in the city of Tianjin and attracts shoppers from all over the world with a range of products offered in stores featuring international brands and at a consumer-friendly cost.
3. Golden Resources Mall – China
Located in Beijing, China, Golden Resources Mall is the third-largest in the world. It is otherwise considered the Great Mall of China due to its vast size, covering an area estimated at 560,000 square meters. The shopping mall was the largest in the world between 2004 and 2005 and the highest-ranked in history.
Despite its massive scale and investment, the mall did not gain immediate popularity due to the high prices of its products and the inaccessibility of foreign shoppers. Over time, the mall has overcome this challenge, attracting millions of shoppers from all over the world to shop in the more than 1,000 stores housed in the mall.
4. SM City North EDSA Philippines Shopping Mall – Philippines
The mall is located at the junction of EDSA Avenue and North Avenue. The mall began operations in 1985 under the management of SM Prime Holdings and became the first company in the Philippine SM Supermalls line.
The mall underwent major renovations in 2006 and saw full-fledged construction in an era of steep economy. The shopping mall occupies an area of 489,000 square meters and the different sections are connected by foot.
About 1 million visitors have access to a wide range of products and services, entertainment and hotel services in the mall.
5. SM Mega Mall – Philippines
Located in Metro Manila, Philippines, SM Mega Mall is the fifth largest shopping mall in the world and the third largest in the Philippines. The mall is located on an area of 474,000 square meters and can accommodate over 4 million people.
Over 100 stores are located in the mall featuring a variety of brands and products from all over the world. The mall has undergone numerous renovations and expansions over the years since it opened its business in 1991 to accommodate its ever-growing population. The mall is one of the oldest shopping malls in history.
6. SM Seaside City Cebu – Philippines
One of the most modern and state-of-the-art facilities, SM Seaside City Cebu is located in Cebu, Philippines. It is currently the 3rd largest shopping mall in the Philippines besides Metro Manila, the largest shopping mall in the Philippines.
The shopping mall is located on approximately 474,000 square meters. Currently, the mall has over 450 stores, appealing to a modern flair and the general public.
Its standout features include its circular shape with multiple anchors. Other features include a cinema, amusement park, food court, observation deck and bowling alley.
Also expected is a marine park that is considered a major tourist attraction in the shopping center. The shops in the mall are international brands and cater to international shoppers.
7. Isfahan City Center – Iran
Esfahan City Center Mall, the largest shopping mall in Iran, is located in the city of Isfahan. The mall was launched in 2012 after an extensive construction project in four phases.
The shopping mall is located in an area of approximately 600,000 square meters and has more than 750 shops. It is home to some of the world’s leading hotels, including 7-star hotels, hypermarkets, cinema halls, and other financial centers.
It is one of the largest shopping malls in the Middle East and has offices for international airlines. The mall stands out and attracts tourists from all over the world.
8. Utama – Malaysia
Utama is located in the city of Damansara in Malaysia. It covers 455,000 square meters, of which over 700 stores operate. The mall also has department stores, supermarkets, and cinemas.
The store, which opened in 1995, underwent a major upgrade in 2003, opening two new wings and providing the store with a large workforce. A number of major international companies have gained international recognition by operating their shopping center-based businesses and are a must-visit for tourists and shoppers worldwide.
9. Persian Gulf Complex – Iran
Persian Gulf Complex opened in 2011. This mall is located in Shiraz city, Iran. The number of stores that can be sold in the mall is the largest in the world, operating more than 2,500 stores.
The shopping mall is located in an area close to 450,000 square meters. Considering Shiraz as Iran’s cultural city, the shopping mall is unique and noteworthy.
Other features include a hotel, swimming pool, amusement park, convention center, cinema, bowling alley and more.
10. Central World – Thailand
Central World is a large shopping mall in Thailand. It was opened in 1990 as the largest in the country. Over the years, shopping malls have improved the quality of their service offerings and products while ensuring the best possible experience for their customers and visitors.
The shopping mall covers 1,024,000 square meters and has two high-rise buildings with numerous shops. Despite the arson attack, the shopping center underwent proper refurbishment and reopened to the public with the same vitality. Of these, about 500 shops are in the mall, and the five-star hotels have other features.
Shopping malls are gaining popularity as a one-stop shopping point for modern shoppers. Having tons of shops in a mall allows shoppers to enjoy tons of products without having to cross town to find what they’re looking for.
This goes hand in hand with creating entertainment and hospitality venues within the mall where shoppers can take time and relax while searching for the products they want.
The growing popularity offers the potential for the development of modern and new shopping malls featuring ever-increasing demand from the consumer community.
