Sales at malls grow 10.1% in 2014

"Even with fewer working days and with uncertainties in the economy, the market of Brazilian malls reached a turnover of r $ 142,27 billion in 2014, registering a growth of 10.1% in sales, compared with the previous year. The expectation in the industry for 2015 is to achieve a high of 8.5 percent, according to the Brazilian Association of Shopping centres (Abrasce). Christmas was the commemorative date that most contributed to the increase in purchases. In the month and during the holidays, the champions of sales were 26.83%) telephony (various articles (15.71 percent), recreation and entertainment (17.06%) and convenience and services (16.45%) On average purchases in December grew by 8.5% over the same period from 2013, higher performance than general trade, which increased 1.2% compared to last year. The shopping center industry received 24 new shopping centers in 2014, taking in the Southeast region the largest number of enterprises, with 12 new points. Then appear Northeast, North, South and Midwest. Of the total releases, only six occurred in the capitals. The percentage of opening in the interior was greater than in the capitals, for the first time in the history of the industry. Despite varied profiles, 41% of malls are concentrated in counties that have up to 500 thousand inhabitants. Are provided for 26 openings in 2015, adding to the current 520 units in operation throughout Brazil. Another highlight is the number of direct jobs generated: were opened about 112 thousand new jobs in the sector during the year 2014. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 979 thousand direct jobs in these locations, an increase of 12.9% for 2013. The number of regulars also jumped from 415 million visits per month to 431 million in 2014, representing a high of 3.7% regarding the previous year. In addition, the number of stores grew by 10.4%, totaling 9,242 shops in malls. "