Sales in shopping malls grew 8.4% in the 1st semester, says ABRASCE

Sales in the country's shopping malls grew 8.4% in the first semester, according to data released on Thursday, August 1, by the Brazilian Association of Shopping Centers (ABRASCE). For the President of the Association, Glauco Humai, the data is positive and shows that the pace of growth of the sector reached the same level recorded before the crisis, which affected the Brazilian economy from 2014. " The records of the first semester leave us optimistic and confident of closing the year within the announced expectation, "Humai said. ABRASCE estimates that sales in malls should reach a high of 7% in 2019 in comparison with 2018.No first semester, the southern region was the one that showed the highest growth in shopping malls (10.9%), followed by the Northeast region (9.6%), Southeast (8%), North ( 7.1%) and Midwest (6.4%). The electronics segment was the one that presented the highest sales growth in the first semester, with a high of 14.56%. In the sequence came the watchmaking and jewellery sectors (7.33%); toys (6.81%); and telephony and accessories (5.64%). On average, consumers spent R $93.68 on purchases, stable level compared to the same period last year. Humai noted that the shopping industry is resilient and historically shows better sales performance than retail in general and national economic activity. "For example, in 2015 and 2016, while the economy was in recession, the sector grew between 4% and 6%," he quoted. Another point that helped sales was the inauguration of five ventures in the first semester: Shopping Carpina, Patos Shopping, Shopping Park City, Jockey Plaza Shopping and only brands Outlet Guarulhos. For the remainder of the year, there are 12 more openings planned.