Shopping centers are full on the last Saturday before Christmas

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At Shopping Leblon, we expect to receive more than 150 thousand people during the weekend. The mall started opening earlier, at 9 a.m., since December 12.

— We believe that this weekend of December 19-21 will exceed the already high throughput base of 2024, with the advantage of still having a few days to make last minute purchases — says Rodrigo Lovatti, superintendent of Shopping Leblon.

Doctor Anna Carolina Santiago took advantage of Saturday morning to buy Christmas gifts.

— For some, I buy real gifts, for others, a souvenir. But it’s difficult to even give souvenirs because of the price, he says.

Fábio Bentes, chief economist at the CNC, says high interest rates make it difficult to spend more at Christmas.

— This year, at Christmas, we expect an increase in sales of food products and in the clothing sector, with these “souvenirs” that do not go unnoticed, and an increase in the consumption of imported goods.

At Botafogo Praia Shopping, it is expected to receive 150 thousand people during the weekend. Forecasts predict sales 10% higher than in 2024.

According to the president of Polo Saara, a popular market in central Rio, André Haddad, the flow of people was double that of a typical Saturday.

Actions to attract customers

To attract more consumers, most shopping malls rely on promotional activities, which range from exchanging bills for gifts to car raffles. Abrasce’s projection already highlighted that malls will step up initiatives such as “Win and Compete” (52%), “Buy and Win” (22%) and sweepstakes (22%).

At Nova América, customers who register R$550 in purchases receive a panettone stuffed with Bacio di Latte and compete in a draw for ten Coca-Cola minibars. To date, 12,826 people have participated in the promotion, which represents an increase of 12% compared to previous actions.

At Botafogo Praia Shopping, customers who spend R$800 on purchases receive a Bacio di Latte panettone. Those who reach R$1,000 in purchases will compete for Coca-Cola minibars and a R$30,000 voucher.

In Rio Sul, customers who register bills totaling R$800 can redeem an artisanal panettone Pati Piva with brigadeiro flavor. In addition, for every R$800 of purchases, there is the possibility of participating in the draw for a 0 km Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross car.