It might be easier to write about major shopping centres that haven’t done well. Braehead, the Scottish shopping and leisure destination, has told us of its “exceptional success” in 2024.

“With significant year-on-year growth in footfall, these results reinforce Braehead’s position as Scotland’s go-to… destination”, said new owner SGS Group.

Throughout 2024, the Glasgow mall saw an impressive 8.5% increase in footfall compared to the previous year, a rise that was also apparent during the critical Q4 ‘golden quarter’ with a 5.7% uplift compared to 2023 “as visitors were drawn to the centre to experience its diverse range of retail, food and leisure operators”. 

The centre’s line-up was enhanced in 2024 with several store refurbishments and new openings including fashion brands Mango, Phase Eight, Castore and Remus Uomo joining its array of over 100 popular high street brands, including M&S, Primark, H&M, MAC and Apple. An already strongly-performing health & beauty category was also enhanced by the arrival of Rituals and Kiko Milano.
 
Looking ahead, the mall operator noted too that with the upcoming opening of the new River Clyde Bridge in March, Braehead will be able to increase accessibility to a wider catchment “to expand market penetration further”. 
 
Rob Jewell, managing director, Asset Management at operator Pradera Lateral, said: “2024 has been a defining year for Braehead Shopping Centre, culminating in impressive footfall figures to end the year. With the addition of more globally recognised brands, alongside reinvestment from established retailers and its new owner SGS, the centre continues to be a leading shopping and leisure destination in Scotland.”