Footfall at malls double post Unlock 2.0

Driven by high demand for comfort wear, electronics, skin care and beauty products and bolstered by deep discounts from high-end brands, footfalls at malls have doubled in a fortnight after Unlock.2. Most mall operators say, sale of electronics goods have already reached pre-COVID levels, while sales in other segments, except clothing, are also picking up. Though footfall remain only 30 per cent of the pre-COVID levels, higher sales number indicates only serious shoppers are coming to malls.

There is a gradual increase every week as shoppers get more confident about venturing out. Kerbside pickup is gaining traction and now people have started coming out to dine also. Some luxury brands are even giving appointments to ensure social distancing said Pushpa Bector, Executive Director, DLF Shopping Malls.

After electronics, skin care and footwear segments are witnessing good sales. Categories such as, personal care/grooming, beauty and electronics are seeing great demand post reopening. Currently, a lot of brands are on sale or offering various offers/discounts as this period also coincides with the mid-year end of season sales, said Nimish Arora, Director and CEO, Select Citywalk.

The Phoenix Mills, which operates malls in metros and tier two cities, also said skin care and beauty products are driving footfalls. Vikram Bhatt, director, Enrich Salons, said the salon's outlet in Inorbit mall in Vadodara, for instance, has clocked 50 per cent revenues in July compared to February. NCR-based mall operators Pacific, Gaur and Mahagun have seen footfalls rebound by a third. Mall executives say clear guidelines from the government will help them drive more footfalls.