Welcome Back !
65 of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s 90 shopping centres have re-opened after the easing of restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 crisis. This follows announcements by authorities in Los Angeles and France on May 26 and 29, respectively. With the remainder of the Group’s centres currently planning to open by June 8 in Spain and June 15 in London, we expect to have at least 87% of our shopping centres (approximately 80% by book value) open by June 15. This number is likely to increase as further US states and counties confirm the end of their restrictions.
While trading of bars, restaurants and cinemas is still restricted in many locations, our centres have seen footfall returning progressively following re-opening and generally above levels anticipated.
In Germany and Austria, the Group’s centres have re-opened since late April/early May. Footfall there has grown at or above 80% of the prior year level. Our assets in the Czech Republic have also seen footfall at around 80% of the prior year level over the past three weeks. In France, the centres which re-opened on May 11 are now seeing footfall above 60% of the prior year level(1), with Rennes Alma reaching 90%. As restrictions on public transport are lifted from June 2, our well-connected centres will also start to see more of the usual “walkthrough” visitors. At centres in the Paris region, which only re-opened on May 29 or 30, footfall on Saturday May 30 was encouraging – around 65% of last year.
“While of course things are not yet back to normal, it is very encouraging to see so many of the Group’s centres able to trade again, while utilising all appropriate and required measures to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, tenants and employees. Health & beauty, Sports, Home equipment and Children’s clothing are believed to be among the best performing segments. The recovery in footfall in markets such as Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic to now around 80% of pre-crisis levels, as well as the good initial performance of the recently re-opened large French assets, provides strong reassurance, especially considering that significant restrictions still apply on major footfall drivers such as restaurants and cinemas, and that most governments have encouraged companies and employees to continue to favour homeworking.”
As our shopping centres resume their activities, our top priority is to protect the health and safety of our employees, tenants and visitors. We are all #WorkingTogether to ensure our customers can enjoy their visit feeling safe and confident everything is in place to protect them. > Find out more about our commitment
Read the full press release
(1) Excluding Carrousel du Louvre, since the Louvre museum is still closed.
While trading of bars, restaurants and cinemas is still restricted in many locations, our centres have seen footfall returning progressively following re-opening and generally above levels anticipated.
In Germany and Austria, the Group’s centres have re-opened since late April/early May. Footfall there has grown at or above 80% of the prior year level. Our assets in the Czech Republic have also seen footfall at around 80% of the prior year level over the past three weeks. In France, the centres which re-opened on May 11 are now seeing footfall above 60% of the prior year level(1), with Rennes Alma reaching 90%. As restrictions on public transport are lifted from June 2, our well-connected centres will also start to see more of the usual “walkthrough” visitors. At centres in the Paris region, which only re-opened on May 29 or 30, footfall on Saturday May 30 was encouraging – around 65% of last year.
“While of course things are not yet back to normal, it is very encouraging to see so many of the Group’s centres able to trade again, while utilising all appropriate and required measures to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, tenants and employees. Health & beauty, Sports, Home equipment and Children’s clothing are believed to be among the best performing segments. The recovery in footfall in markets such as Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic to now around 80% of pre-crisis levels, as well as the good initial performance of the recently re-opened large French assets, provides strong reassurance, especially considering that significant restrictions still apply on major footfall drivers such as restaurants and cinemas, and that most governments have encouraged companies and employees to continue to favour homeworking.”
Christophe Cuvillier, Group CEO of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
As our shopping centres resume their activities, our top priority is to protect the health and safety of our employees, tenants and visitors. We are all #WorkingTogether to ensure our customers can enjoy their visit feeling safe and confident everything is in place to protect them. > Find out more about our commitment
Read the full press release
(1) Excluding Carrousel du Louvre, since the Louvre museum is still closed.
