Canadian malls need to diversify to become destinations for shoppers, say experts
MONTREAL — The rise of online shopping is forcing Canadian malls to diversify and become destinations that offer a range of services including entertainment and sporting venues in addition to traditional clothing stores, a Montreal real estate conference heard Tuesday.
“The mall has to become more interesting,” said Eric Foster, a real estate consultant who helped develop the large, mixed-use DIX30 shopping complex on Montreal’s south shore. Its amenities include 65 restaurants, food shopping, an indoor soccer venue and a training centre for the Montreal Canadiens.
“We have to give different reasons for people to move out of the house, take the car and get to the mall in a nicer environment, with more choices,” said Foster.
While some large mall owners are investing in changes, he said considerable spending is required because many properties in urban centres like Montreal are more than 40 years old.