São Paulo – Sales in Brazilian shopping centres rose by 12% in March, compared with the same month of last year, according to information disclosed by the Brazilian Association of Shopping Centers (Abrasce) last Thursday (30th).
According to a release issued by the organisation, the so-called "anchor stores," famous brands that attract the public, exerted a strong influence on the overall performance. They answered to 21.4% of sales, followed by the categories: "various items," with 18.7%; "convenience and services," with 17.7%; and "satellite stores," with 13%.
The remainder of sales, according to the association, was divided among the segments of food, clothing, household items, megastores, and leisure and entertainment.
The organisation added that the result in March exceeded the expected growth of rate for the sector in 2009, which is 8%, and the annual increase in 2008, which was 11.4%. According to the Abrasce, even during the international financial crisis, the shopping centre sector in Brazilian has been little affected.
*Translated by Gabriel Blum
