São Paulo – Brazilian shopping centres posted 71 billion Brazilian reals (US$ 38.3 billion) in revenues from sales last year, according to figures supplied by the Brazilian Association of Shopping Centers (Abrasce). There was growth of 9.9% over the previous year, when revenues totalled US$ 64.6 billion.
Currently, there are 392 shopping centres in Brazil. Last year alone, according to the Abrasce, 16 enterprises of type were inaugurated. They opened up 36,000 new job positions and the segment currently employs 757,000 people.
According to the president of the Abrasce, the performance in 2009 was above the organization’s expectations, which were of 8% growth, and proves that the economic crisis did not affect business in the country’s shopping centres.
For 2010, the association forecasts a 12% increase in sales, which should total 79 billion reals (US$ ). Furthermore, 19 new shopping centres should be inaugurated and 53,000 new jobs should be created.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
