Shopping center attendance declined moderately in August, registering a 2.4% increase
The shopping center footfall trends in Spain and Portugal have shown some interesting patterns over the past year.
In Spain, the footfall in shopping centers has been on a steady incline. The annual total footfall for 2024 ended with a 2.6% rise, according to recent data. This increase was influenced by various factors such as a decrease in food prices, moderate increases in electricity, summer sales, preparations for the return to school, and the arrival of national and international tourists.
The increase in footfall was particularly notable in April, when visitor numbers rose by 6.4%, largely due to the Easter calendar. However, there was a slowdown in pedestrian traffic trends in August, with a 4% year-on-year increase compared to a 6.4% increase in June and a 2.4% increase in July.
Despite the August slowdown, the footfall in Spanish shopping centers for the last 12 months (September 2024 to August 2025) was 2.7%, which is higher than the 2.9% increase recorded in the previous year.
In Portugal, the shopping center footfall trends have been less favourable. The annual total footfall for 2024 pointed to a drop of 0.1%. In August 2024, customer visits to shopping centers decreased by 0.9% compared to the same month the previous year. Even in August 2025, the footfall in Portuguese shopping centers increased by only 0.9%, while it increased by 2.4% in Spanish shopping centers.
The company attributes the increase in footfall in Spanish shopping centers to a gradual recovery of consumer confidence, solid retail sector performance, and high demand especially in fashion and food retail, combined with limited supply of quality retail spaces; additionally, luxury brands maintaining their momentum and seeking to strengthen or establish their presence contributed to the growth.
Comparing the last 12 months, from December 2023 to December 2024, the total footfall in Spanish shopping centers was 2.1%, while it was lower in Portuguese shopping centers, with a total footfall of 0.1%.
In conclusion, while the shopping center footfall trends in Spain have been generally positive, with a steady increase in visitor numbers, the trends in Portugal have been less favourable, with a decline in annual footfall. The difference in trends between the two countries can be attributed to various factors, including consumer confidence, retail sector performance, and tourism.
