The success of a shopping center depends not only on its location or architectural design, but also on its leasing strategy. Having the right tenant mix is key to generating constant traffic, fostering synergy between businesses and offering an attractive value proposition to consumers.

What is Tenant Mix and why is it important?

Tenant mix refers to the strategic combination of tenants within a retail plaza. It is not just about filling the available space, but also about carefully selecting brands, categories and services that complement each other and respond to the needs of the local market.

A well-designed tenant mix generates multiple benefits:

- Increased traffic and dwell time: A balanced mix of stores, restaurants and services generates more reasons to visit the shopping plaza.

- Attraction of different customer segments: The diversity of options makes it possible to attract different consumer profiles, ensuring a constant flow.

- Commercial synergy: Businesses mutually benefit from the traffic generated by their neighbors, boosting sales and building customer loyalty.

- Market differentiation: A good tenant mix helps to position the market as a unique and competitive destination in the area.

The role of the ANCLA STORE

A successful shopping plaza almost always has an anchor store: a highly recognized establishment that attracts large volumes of visitors and establishes the base for commercial traffic. These can be supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores and entertainment centers.

Anchor stores not only generate foot traffic, but also create opportunities for other businesses to capture some of that traffic. Selecting an appropriate anchor store should consider factors such as the consumer profile of the area and compatibility with other tenants.

Complementarity and destination: the key to success

In addition to the anchor store, it is essential to have other brands and services that complement the offer and turn the plaza into a destination point. This implies including strategic categories such as:

- Restaurants and cafeterias: Gastronomic spaces that invite visitors to stay longer.

- Convenience and specialty stores: pharmacies, laundromats and technology stores that cover essential needs.

- Fashion and lifestyle: Boutiques, shoe stores and accessories to capture the interest of shoppers.

- Complementary services: Banks, esthetic centers, clinical laboratories and others that may increase the functionality of the space.

A balance between these elements ensures that the shopping plaza is not only a place to pass through, but a recurring destination for the community.  

Now, while it is true that you must have a varied offer, it is also important to avoid certain mistakes that can affect the operation and profitability of the shopping mall.

Businesses that occupy too much parking: Some businesses, such as academies, gyms or health care centers, require their customers to occupy parking spaces for extended periods of time. This can create a turnover problem and negatively affect other businesses that rely on a high flow of customers.

Competing businesses: It is critical to avoid oversupply of the same type of business in a small plaza. Having multiple coffee shops, restaurants of the same style or convenience stores can saturate the domestic market and divide the clientele instead of attracting new consumers.

Businesses with special quiet requirements or environmental conditions: Spaces such as therapy offices, wellness clinics or recording studios require quiet environments, which can conflict with businesses such as bars, gyms or event halls that generate constant noise.

The success of a shopping plaza will depend largely on its tenant mix. A strategic combination of tenants, with an anchor store that generates traffic and complementary brands that add value, turns the plaza into an attractive and sustainable destination over time. The key is to know the market, understand the needs of the community and design a commercial offer that responds to them in an efficient and differentiated way, creating an attractive commercial experience.