- Leisure has emerged as the fastest-growing sector so far this year, with a 6% increase.
- In terms of investment, the first half has already reached €1.5 billion, with expectations to surpass the €2 billion total recorded in 2024.
- These figures reflect the sector’s positive evolution, driven by its ability to adapt to consumer habits and expectations.
The retail sector continues to show remarkable dynamism. According to data from Cushman & Wakefield, during the first half of the year, sales in Spain’s shopping centers grew by 2.7%, while visitor footfall increased by 2.9%. These figures confirm sustained growth in retail and reinforce the sector’s positive trajectory. Moreover, the year-on-year comparison over the past twelve months supports this upward trend, with a 3.3% increase in sales and a 3.5% rise in footfall.
The second quarter delivered stronger results than the first, with a 6.3% increase compared to the -0.9% recorded between January and March. This slowdown in the first quarter is partly explained by calendar-related factors.
Leisure stands out as one of the key drivers of this growth, with a 6% increase so far this year.
Within this category, bowling alleys have seen a 6.8% rise and cinemas a 7.4% increase. Although cinema attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels due to structural factors—such as the evolution of film releases, changing consumer habits, and the transformation of many theaters with reduced capacity—it shows clear signs of recovery.
The health and beauty sector is also performing strongly, with a 3.8% growth, driven especially by pharmacies, which lead the segment with a notable 10.8% increase.
In parallel, the electronics and home appliances segment has managed to reverse early-year concerns, achieving a 3.4% growth, with widespread increases across all subcategories: electronics, video games and consoles, and electronic devices.
Fashion has grown by 3% so far this year, with a particularly dynamic month of May, during which growth exceeded 11%. Within the category, men’s clothing stands out as the strongest performer, with a 10.8% increase, followed by adult and unisex apparel, which rose by 3.4%.
At the same time, the investment market is also showing signs of strength. The first half of the year has already seen €1.5 billion in retail investment, with projections to surpass the €2 billion recorded at the end of 2024. Shopping centers and retail parks remain highly active and in the spotlight for investors, with nearly €1 billion invested so far—an amount that is already close to the total reached in the previous year.
The data confirms that consumer spending continues to grow, supported by sustained increases in both sales and footfall, as well as the strong performance of key categories such as leisure, health, electronics, and fashion. All of this reflects the sector’s ability to adapt to evolving consumer needs and the renewed appeal of physical retail as a space for experience, convenience, and shopping.
