Will the mall become the second room?

Barely more than a year after it opened, Switzerland's second largest shopping center is already rebuilding. This initially concerns the management of the Mall of Switzerland at Ebikon LU. The organization is slimmer, director Jan Wengeler (40) leaves the mall. With Peter Triner (60), a manager takes over management who has never run a shopping center (Blick report).

As a former director at laundry maker Triumph, Triner is well versed in the textile industry, which is an important sector for the mall, said a spokesman. But it is the fashion and clothing sector that is experiencing a sharp drop in sales in the retail trade. "Shopping centers focused on fashion stores must now let go," says Marcel Stoffel (55), a shopping center expert. He is convinced: "There will be some adjustments to the concept and tenants of the mall in the near future."

Gladly would have spoken to the designated manager of the Triner Mall. But this is ready for an interview only after starting in January. According to Stoffel, there will be more and more "radical cuts" in the future, as in the Basel shopping center Stücki.

For years, the consumer temple in Kleinhüningen near the German border has been the problem child of the portfolio of the real estate company Swiss Prime Site (SPS). Fewer visitors than expected, empty aisles during the week, store renters who were not making money and were turning their backs on the center.

To avoid economic bankruptcy, the Stücki was radically rebuilt for a year. Or as Christian Mutschler (48), leader of Stücki, says: "We are moving more and more from a shopping center to a new commercial site". According to Mutschler, the sales area has been "significantly reduced". From here 2023, Stücki Park must create a new center of innovation, experience, health, gastronomy and shopping. Whether the Stücki stands out or not by the realignment, remains to be demonstrated.

According to Marcel Stoffel, the future of shopping centers in Switzerland is bleak for some. The expert expects that in 2023 about 25% of all retail spaces will disappear and be re-used. It will not stay in the first empty shopping center in Ticino either: "We will have a dozen empty shopping centers." Time horizon: no later than three years.

Are concerned here the midsize shopping centers. Those who have lost important anchor tenants such as Migros and Coop. "And we failed to adapt to the new needs of customers," says Stoffel.