What Are Short-Term Leasers Looking for in Shopping Centres Today?

What do short-term tenants really want from shopping centres today? As retail continues to evolve, short-term leasing has become an essential strategy for brands looking to increase visibility, launch new products, and connect with customers in fresh, exciting ways. But while this model offers flexibility and opportunity, landlords must understand the specific needs of these tenants to successfully attract and retain them. In this article, we’ll explore the key trends and expectations of short-term tenants across shopping centres in Europe, the United States, and Australia, and how landlords can meet these demands.

Flexibility: A Necessity for Short-Term Renters

One of the most important factors for short-term tenants is flexibility. Unlike long-term leases, short-term leases allow brands to adjust their presence according to their immediate needs. This includes everything from one-day contracts to six-month agreements, giving them the opportunity to try out new markets, launch limited-edition products, or run seasonal campaigns without long-term commitment.

In Europe, the short-term leasing trend has gained significant traction, largely driven by the increasing popularity of pop-up stores and temporary activations within shopping centres. These initiatives allow brands to create unique, time-limited experiences that attract foot traffic, generate buzz, and test new markets—all without the constraints of a long-term commitment.

Adaptability and Opportunities

Flexibility doesn’t just refer to the duration of the lease; it also includes the space’s ability to adapt to different types of activations. Tenants are looking for spaces that can be quickly transformed to suit their needs, with options for modular furniture, customisable shelving, and support in store design.

Strategic Location: A Key Determinant

For short-term tenants, being in a high-traffic area is essential for maximising visibility and driving sales. Shopping centre operators must offer strategic areas that favour natural foot traffic.

The Most Sought-After Locations

Spaces near main entrances, corridors next to anchor stores, and areas with high foot traffic are the most coveted. Tenants are not just looking for square footage, but also effective exposure that attracts potential shoppers’ attention.

Digitalisation in Leasing Processes: Efficiency and Speed

One of the most significant shifts in recent years has been the digitalisation of leasing processes. From electronic signatures to automated contract generation and remote payment tracking, digital platforms have redefined how commercial properties are managed.

Why It Matters for Short-Term Retail

Short-term tenants, in particular, value solutions that allow for faster, simpler leasing—fully manageable from anywhere. Platforms that offer performance analytics and real-time data are becoming increasingly relevant, helping tenants assess the profitability of their activations and adapt their strategies accordingly.

But this digital expectation extends beyond leasing itself. The broader retail ecosystem is rapidly embracing digital transactions. For instance, Australia’s payments market is expected to grow from USD 0.92 trillion in 2024 to USD 1.97 trillion by 2029, with a CAGR of 16.44%. This signals a rising demand for fast, secure, and frictionless digital experiences—not only at the checkout but throughout the entire commercial operation.

For shopping centres, this means more than just offering flexible leasing—it means integrating digital tools that align with the expectations of today’s retailers, from contract to activation to payment.

Marketing Support: More Than Just Rent

Marketing has become a key factor in short-term leasing. Tenants are not just looking for a space; they also want promotional support to increase their visibility. From social media campaigns to co-hosted events, shopping centres play an essential role in promoting pop-up stores.

Synergies to Maximise Impact

Collaboration between the shopping centre and the brand is crucial for the success of the activation. Centres that provide joint marketing strategies enable tenants to reach larger audiences and benefit from the visibility of broader campaigns.

Customer Experience: The Differentiating Factor

Finally, we cannot forget that short-term tenants are in the business of creating memorable experiences. The key to attracting and retaining consumers lies in offering something unique: whether through technology, space design, or direct product interaction.

Innovation in Short-Term Activations

Brands that occupy short-term spaces are looking to offer experiences that not only generate sales but also foster digital interaction. For example, in the US, many pop-up stores use smart mirrors or augmented reality devices to allow consumers to interact with products in innovative ways.

In Europe, interactive spaces and immersive experiences are on the rise. The ability to customise products in real-time or shop through mobile devices has been a great success.

Ready to Modernise Your Shopping Centre?

Are you looking to modernise and streamline the short-term leasing procedures within your shopping centres?

With CRENEX Malls, boost efficiency by standardising processes and drive sales by digitising your tenant interactions.

One product, three modules, multiple solutions – the CRENEX Marketing Module empowers you to optimise your listings and streamline the acquisition process, making it easy to rent out your spaces. The Leasing Module provides seamless management of client relationships, from billing and contract generation to financial tracking and beyond. And with the new Lead Generation Module, you can boost efficiency, automate prospecting, and connect with top-tier brands – all from a single platform.

Each module is fully integrated and part of a customisable solution tailored to the needs of any industry or business, helping you transform your commercial space management end to end.

It’s time to revolutionise your leasing strategy and leave outdated methods behind. Capture the attention of new clientele by embracing innovation and maximising the potential of your space.

Request a Demo Today

Don’t miss the opportunity to transform your shopping centre leasing process. Contact us to find out how CRENEX can help you boost efficiency, enhance client relationships, and ultimately drive sales.

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