- Total Number of Centres: GeoScope has mapped an impressive 1,867 shopping centres across South Africa, ranging from small convenience centres to expansive super regional centres. Each of these centres is strategically analysed and their unique trade areas defined, providing valuable insights into their market reach and customer demographics.
- Largest Shopping Centre: Fourways Mall in Johannesburg is the largest shopping centre in the country, offering over 178,000 square meters of retail space.
- Super Regional Centres: South Africa is home to 11 super regional shopping centres, defined as centres with more than 100,000 square meters of retail space. Out of these, 8 are located in Gauteng, the country’s economic powerhouse.
- Economic Impact: Shopping centres in South Africa contribute significantly to the economy, with retail sales from these centres accounting for a large portion of the country’s GDP.
- Historical First: The first fully enclosed shopping mall in South Africa was the Pavilion in Durban, which opened in 1993, marking the beginning of the modern shopping era in the country.
- Unique Features: South Africa’s shopping centres offer unique experiences beyond retail. Menlyn Park in Pretoria features unique shopping, diverse dining options, and extensive entertainment offerings, while Canal Walk in Cape Town has a scenic canal with boat rides. Mall of Africa in Midrand is known for its African-inspired architecture and outdoor amphitheatre, and The Zone @ Rosebank in Johannesburg boasts a digital cinema and rooftop garden. Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban includes a skate park, rock climbing wall, and wave house, while the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town offers attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium against the backdrop of Table Mountain.
- Visitor Numbers: South Africa’s shopping centres aren’t just shopping spots—they’re bustling hubs of activity. Iconic centres like Sandton City in Johannesburg attract millions of visitors each year, from local shoppers to international tourists. GeoScope has developed a reliable way to estimate visitor counts for each centre, factoring in their location, mall type and other key variables.
- Provincial Distribution: Gauteng leads the pack with the highest number of shopping centres, reflecting its status as the commercial hub of South Africa. In contrast, the Northern Cape, the largest province by land area, has the fewest shopping centres due to its sparse population.
To find out more about our shopping centres and their trade area data as well as other unique datasets click here
