Bucharest Mall, the only commercial complex of this type in the Romanian capital city, expects 15 million visitors for 2002, with buyers to account for 70% of this figure. The sales of companies that opened shops in Bucharest Mall are estimated to reach $200m this year.
"Whereas we initially estimated 1.5 million visitors annually, Bucharest Mall registered over 10 million visitors annually in the first two years of operations, and their number is expected to exceed 15 million this year. The sales of companies that rented spaces in the commercial complex have so far exceeded 150 million dollars and 200 million dollars are expected for this year," stated Ali Ergun Ergen, general manager of Bucharest Mall.
Of the total volume of Bucharest Mall visitors, women account for 60%, according to officials' estimates. Almost two thirds of the Vitan-based mall visitors are young people, aged below 35. In terms of education, 48% of those who visit the mall are university graduates, while 45% are high-school graduates.
Weekends bring the most visitors. Thus, 47% of visitors only come during weekends, 25% come only during working days, and 28% come during weekends and working days. Consumers visit 10 shops on average, according to Bucharest Mall statistics, the duration of visits exceeding two hours in 90% of cases.
Bucharest Mall has a total area of over 50,000 square metres and is structured on four levels, each of them spreading on 10,000 square metres. The total area that can be rented amounts to over 26,000 square metres, the rent ranging between 15 and 150 dollars per square metre, depending on the size and location.
Due to the mall's success, the investment-recouping period will also be cut down. While at a global level the average period ranges between 8 and 10 years, company officials say that in the case of Bucharest Mall the investment will be recouped in 6-8 years.
"Three years have already passed, therefore the investment will be regained in 3-4 years," the Bucharest Mall official adds. |
