Like other businesses stricken by the massive flooding in Thailand, shopping malls in Bangkok have experienced a weakening in shopper numbers.

The footfall at the upmarket Gaysorn Shopping Centre in central Bangkok – where floodwaters have yet to reach – has dropped 15 to 20 per cent due to the buyer’s dented shopping enthusiasm.

“We have seen the stress level of Bangkokians rising in the past two weeks as the flooding hits industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani, and it’s having a negative impact on the luxury retail sector, in particular,” Satima Tanabe, Gaysorn Shopping Centre deputy GM, told The Nation newspaper.

The giant suburban mall Future Park Rangsit on the city’s northern outskirts, ceased trading on Wednesday as waters surrounded the centre, leading to estimated a daily losses of Bt300 million (almost A$10 million) for the centre and its tenants.

Also severely affected by the floods is CentralPlaza Pin Klao mall which also closed on Wednesday and announced that business will be limited over coming days if the rising water levels do not ease.

However major malls in the city centre are unaffected by floodwater – its shopping malls are not dissuaded by massive floods from vigorously operating their business.  

“Flood news could be having a psychological effect on consumers’ spending moods. However, the traffic at our shopping malls remains the same as people still come to buy essentials,” said Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, EVP for marketing of Central Pattana (CPN).

Undeterred by floods, CPN has opened CentralPlaza Phitsanulok, its 17th shopping mall on Thursday. More than 200 shops are occupying at the new mall which has 100,000sqm floor area. More than 80,000 people jumbled at the mall during its opening day.

GB