Fewer closed shops in Black Week 2023

He Panama Black Week It started with the most active shopping centers and fewer vacancies.

These are data used by company directors. Panama Association of Shopping Centers (Apacecom)who assure that the movement is superior to that of 2019, so that they can finally give a clean slate to the difficult years experienced by the covid-19 pandemic.

Erick Zamora, President of Apacecomhe pointed out that consumer buying behavior is progressively improving, indicating that they are now buying more goods.

“The most important thing is that customer traffic there are more and more people going to shopping centers,” he said.

In 2019, mall sales were $11 billionthe number that decreased with the pandemic, and according to the data of the associations, was reached at the end of 2022.

Eye, Nadkyi Duque, former president of Apacecomestimates that occupancy in member shopping centers (16) is between 80% and 90%.

“More shops have opened, most of us have already recovered. We still have a long way to go, but we are at that level of growth.“, He said.

WITH an increase of up to 15% compared to last yearAnother positive fact is that jobs have also recovered.

“The stores that had to close then have recovered and although unemployment was significant, this is already happening we see it with great optimismDuque said.

The economic activity of shopping centers was one of those most affected by the restrictions imposed by the health crisis remain closed for six months, in 2020which they joined a few weeks into 2021.

Despite the recovery, some of these commercial complexes like the old Multicenterare mostly empty, while others are trying to recover, amid fierce competition, as is the case with Soho Mall.

Apacecom consists of Albrook Mall, Alta Plaza, Westland (Arraiján)Los Andes Mall, downtown, Megamall, Los Pueblos, Paseo Central (Chitré), Santiago Mall (Santiago)Atrio Mall, Soho City Center, Balboa Boutiques, Chiriquí Mall (David), Los Pueblos Juan Díaz, downtown Arraiján and Market Plaza (Costa Verde).

Shopping destination

Although Panama is an expensive country, relative to some economic activities, in terms of trade it is one of the most affordable in Latin AmericaDuque said.

And despite the fact that high inflation in the region has made other markets cheaper, like Colombia, for example, it still is the country remains attractive.

“They still come and buy Costa Rica, Argentina and Ecuadorcountries from which many people come to shop,” he pointed out.

It produces the latest technologies, as well as appliances, clothing in general and sportswear They are still coveted by foreigners who come to shop.

On the other hand, Zamora said that shopping centers have become warehouse complexes very important influences on the environment in which they are located.

And these places improved the development of the sectors in which they are located, such as communities, other businesses and schools.

“We want to strengthen this by working hand in hand with institutions and get closer to communities to influence their environment“, said the president of Apacecom.