The retail sector in Spain has started 2025 with significant investment activity. According to the latest figures from Cushman & Wakefield, the accumulated volume in the first half of the year reached 1,500 million euros, with prospects of exceeding the 2,000 million recorded at the end of last year. Of this figure, close to 1,000 million is concentrated in operations in shopping centres and retail parks, which places the segment at levels similar to those of the whole of 2024.
This performance is taking place in parallel with a positive evolution of the operating indicators of shopping centres. Between January and June, sales increased by 2.7% and footfall by 2.9% compared to the same period last year. The year-on-year comparison (last twelve months) brings the growth to 3.3% in sales and 3.5% in traffic.
The second quarter showed a significant recovery compared to the start of the year. After a 0.9% drop in sales between January and March, the period from April to June closed with an increase of 6.3%, partly due to the calendar.
By category, leisure led the growth with a cumulative 6% in the first half of the year. In this group, cinemas recorded an increase of 7.4% and bowling alleys 6.8%, although pre-pandemic levels have not yet recovered. It is followed by sectors such as health and beauty, with a 3.8% increase, driven by the performance of pharmacies, which reached 10.8% growth.
The electronics and household appliances segment also closed the half-year with positive results (+3.4%), after a weaker start to the year, with rises in categories such as video games, electronic equipment and consumer products. Fashion, meanwhile, accumulated an increase of 3%, with a particularly active month of May, in which sales were up 11% year-on-year. Men's clothing was particularly noteworthy, with growth of 10.8%, followed by the mixed and adult segments (+3.4%).
These figures confirm the strength of the physical channel and its ability to adapt to new consumer habits, as well as the renewed interest it is arousing among specialised retail investors.
