Here in Greater Philadelphia, we are getting used to having supermarkets at the mall (Wegmans in Montgomeryville, Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting, Sprouts coming to Moorestown…), but it’s still a new concept in many parts of the county. Industry analysts believe we will see several more supermarkets lease space in malls in the coming years.
“With the fast-paced nature of America, shoppers want to be as efficient as possible when running errands,” said Displaydata Marketing Director Paul Milner. “Grocery stores in malls could give Americans the benefit of a one-stop shop for all of their needs… This transition is another step towards providing shoppers with the advanced and friction-less shopping experience that the American consumer demands.”
Milner also sees supermarkets in malls as a winning proposition for landlords. Mall owners, often stuck with a declining retail property, can transform their asset into a destination allowing consumers to complete all of their shopping in one place. He warns, though, that parking could be a deterrent if shoppers have to carry their groceries too far.