The pandemic was a turning point for mall management. As footfalls fell sharply and many malls faced closures, retail real estate leaders realised the urgent need to digitise. Since then, the retail sector may have picked up with a bang, but the digitisation of mall management is here to stay. 

As an app-based SaaS platform, ANACITY Business’ mall management solutions focus on facilitating operations, reducing costs, and gaining actionable insights to make informed decisions. 

What is mall management?

Mall management refers to the overall operation and maintenance of the entire building infrastructure, including utilities and services. A key objective of mall management is to find tenants that align with the mall’s brand. Mall management encompasses all these functions, from security to accounts, marketing, and leasing.

Top challenges in mall management 

Managing a mall is no easy task. Following are some of the major challenges faced by mall management teams. 

Optimising tenant mix

People rarely visit the mall with just one just one stop in mind. Even those with a fixed goal are looking for different options. For instance, if you are shopping for clothes, you will also want to check accessories like shoes and makeup.

It’s not just retail. Parents are often looking for indoor play areas while others may want a gaming arcade. And of course, dining options – from food court to restaurants – are non-negotiable. Finding the optimal mix often spells the difference between success and failure. 

Facility management

Broken lifts and dirty washrooms can spell doom for any mall. But even the most responsive facility management team can struggle with sudden emergencies. The resulting delay in addressing issues results in a poor experience for visitors. 

Spatial management

One of the persistent challenges for mall management teams is spatial management. A user-friendly layout is a core requirement. The mall design must facilitate ease of movement where shoppers can move with the least number of obstacles. 

Malls should also have multiple entry-exit points to avoid any overcrowding. In addition, there should be an ideal tenant mix with F&B vendors within a short walk. Spatial management also includes zoning where shops with similar target markets are grouped. 

Tracking data

Data can be critical in the management of a mall. For instance, just knowing footfalls is not sufficient. You also need this data broken down by time, date, month, and season. This data is critical in planning promotional campaigns, holding events, and eventually, maximising revenues. 

Similarly, facility operations data like service requests help property management teams to identify recurring issues to prioritise repair works and plan expenses. 

Lack of market research

Despite high demand, most malls shut down because of lack of planning and research, including feasibility and positioning studies.  

Parking management 

Even the most spacious parking space can get overwhelmed during weekends or peak festival seasons. Traffic data helps parking management teams to plan for adequate space, including loading bays and EF charging stations. 

Digitising mall management 

Technology is a powerful tool in mitigating these challenges. As an app-based SaaS platform, ANACITY offers an integrated platform designed to meet these multifaceted challenges. 

• Get a consolidated overview of tenant data with a unit-wise breakup. 
• Send construction updates and manage approvals for tenant move-ins.
• Get an asset overview and set maintenance schedules.
• Track service requests and ensure timely resolution.
• Online invoicing and payments.
• Manage rentals with easy payment notifications.
• Make data access secure and streamlined with a digital document repository.
• Streamline approvals with request management for fit-outs, move-ins, and cargo deliveries. 

If you want to learn more about ANACITY’s mall management solutions, get in touch with us at support@apnacomplex or call 8088611229.