SHOPPERS' tastes are becoming more sophisticated when it comes to food and drink offerings at retail centres.
Property consultants CBRE said almost half (48 per cent) of people surveyed said there was a lack of top quality restaurants in shopping centres across Ireland.
Meanwhile, 39 per cent of respondents said they'd prefer to see fewer fast food outlets in malls.
Shopping centres have seen an increasing number of multi-national names setting up shop in recent years, led by coffee houses and fast food outlets.
However, the traditional food court is changing with centres like Victoria Square seeing a high concentration of restaurant openings.
CBRE's research found 35 per cent of respondents visit a shopping centre once a week or more.
Of those surveyed, 48 per cent also said they would be more inclined to use food and beverage options within a shopping centre than in other types of offerings such as on the high street or retail parks.
CBRE director Alana Coyle said: “There is no doubt that this survey highlights the importance of a strong food and beverage offering in shopping centres across the country. Almost 49 per cent of respondents often stop for food on the ‘spur of the moment’ while shopping. So it’s not just a way to draw consumers in, it can also encourage them to spend more time and enjoy their overall ‘experience’.
“We have always stressed that the centres that offer the best leisure experience tend to outstrip the competition. It is clear however that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, there must be a clear understanding of the local shopper and their particular needs and as always, different locations will require different offerings.”
