Scentre Group has reported 125 million customer visits in the first 13 weeks to April 2, 2023.
This is 17 million more visits compared to the same period last year, according to the shopping centre operator.
Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow credited the result to a strategy of driving customer visitations through activating Westfield destinations. This includes a recent collaboration with Disney, celebrating its 100th anniversary through special events across its portfolio.
“Our Westfield destinations continue to be the most efficient platform for our business partners to connect with customers," Rusanow said. "Seven of our Westfield destinations generate more than $1 billion in annual sales including Chermside, Bondi Junction, Fountain Gate, Sydney, Miranda, Carindale and most recently Doncaster.
“We remain focused on activating our destinations and creating reasons for customers to visit us. So far this year, we have hosted more than 2,500 events and improved the experience for our customers."
Total business partner sales for January and February 2023 are 17% higher compared to the same period in 2022 and 10% higher than 2019, according to Scentre Group.
“Progress continues to be made on the Group’s strategic customer initiatives including our membership program which now has 3.4 million members, an increase of 1.2 million since the start of 2022," Rusanow said.
In a separate update, Scentre Group also announced the impending retirement of chair Brian Schwartz on September 30. Schwartz has been the Group’s chair since 2016.
The Board has endorsed Ilana Atlas AO as chair-elect. Atlas was appointed to the Scentre Group Board in 2021.
Schwartz said it was the right time to step down.
“I am delighted Ilana will succeed me as chair. Her leadership will add greatly to the future success and growth of our company. I look forward to working closely with Ilana, board directors, and our CEO Elliott Rusanow over the coming months to complete a seamless transition.”
Atlas said Schwartz had guided the business through a critical time.
“I would like to thank Brian on behalf of the directors and securityholders for his outstanding contribution to the Group since its inception nine years ago and his leadership of the board for the past seven years.
"In particular, I would like to acknowledge his leadership of the board through the successful CEO and CFO succession."