Brazilian shopping malls prepare to get back in business

Despite early hiccups and government delays in securing supplies, Brazilians’ uptake of coronavirus vaccination has been nothing short of astonishing in recent weeks and months. Over 60 percent of the national population has received at least one jab — twice the rate of two months ago. In the country’s biggest city São Paulo, a stunning 100 percent of adults have taken one or more doses.

With increased vaccination comes a drop in Covid-19 cases and deaths, which in turn has allowed the population to feel more secure leaving their homes and seeking to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyles.

Bars and restaurants are enjoying renewed custom, while the online shopping boom has been tempered somewhat, with some people now preferring to make their purchases in brick-and-mortar stores. And Brazil’s shopping malls have reaped the benefits of both trends.

Last year was an abysmal one for the country’s shopping mall sector. Revenues dropped 33 percent to BRL 128.8 billion (USD 24.5 billion), the worst result in the segment’s history, largely due to restrictive measures imposed on non-essential businesses.

According to data released in May by Brazilian mall association Abrasce, the country’s shopping centers remained closed for 127 days since the beginning of 2020 — and only operated without any...