Module 01

The Rise and Future of Malls

Shopping malls cover the globe and continue to be developed and remodelled because of the constant and increasing demand of retailers and institutions wishing to invest in them. This module examines the history and development of malls and the core factors in their continued success.  

• The History of Shopping Malls
• How retail has evolved and why it remains relevant
• Global retail developments and themes across continents
• Retail Convergence with e-commerce
• Why Invest in Retail Property
• Expectations of the next generation shopper
• Experience-led, lifestyle-driven retail as the new norm. 

Module 02

Mall Design and Development

Design is the single most powerful commercial lever in retail. This module positions shopping centre design as a value-creation system, not an aesthetic exercise.

• How layout drives footfall distribution and equalisation of rent
• Extracting maximum benefit from constrained footprints
• Designing vertical retail that actually trades
• Repositioning, re-modelling and reconfiguration strategies
• Designing for future refurbishment, re-theming and expansion
• Tenancy planning and layout flexibility, amenities and customer facilities
• Servicing, logistics and operational efficiency
• Parking, arrivals and first impressions
• Branding, identity and theming through architecture and interiors
• Case studies on good designs.

Module 03

Retail Property Valuation & Finance

We examine the most common methods of valuing retail property and how to maximise retail asset value. 

• How shopping centres are valued
• NOI, yield and cap-rate sensitivity
• Financial modelling, cash flow and IRR
• Lease events and rent behaviour
• Service-charge efficiency
• Asset management as a value-creation discipline

Module 04

Leasing &Tenant Mix Modelling

Mall leasing has evolved to where managers now act as creative directors to curate brand experiences. The focus of this module is on long-term viability through flexibility, data-driven decisions, and a diverse, experience-led tenant mix.

• Tenant mix as strategy
• Anchors, leisure, F&B and specialty balance
• Flexibility, pop-ups and rotation
• Hands-on 3D Mall Modelling Workshop to test leasing assumptions

Module 05

Retail Property Management

Retail property management has shifted from a reactive maintenance-led facility role to a strategic platform operator who curate experiences, leverage real-time data, and prioritize long-term asset resilience over simple rent collection.

• Designing for long-term operation and management
• Servicing, logistics and tenant handover
• Reducing operational friction and risk
• Designing assets that are easy to run — not just impressive to open

Module 06

Retailer Sales Growth Strategies

With the advent of e-commerce, retailing in malls has shifted from traditional volume-based models toward unified, data-driven ecosystems that prioritize customer trust, operational efficiency, and hyper-personalization. This module demonstrates:

• Why mall profitability depends on retailer success
• Supporting retail operations to grow sales
• Translating turnover growth into sustainable rent
• Landlord-led performance initiatives

Module 07

Mall Marketing and Branding

No longer is mall marketing simply advertising and events based. It is destination-led storytelling, creating a lifestyle destination, with an adaptive visual identify, This module takes us through:

• Developing a strategic marketing plan
• How marketing directly drives income
• Mall Marketing Metrics
• Exploiting the Customer Journey and Touchpoints
• Retail Categorisation
• Innovative, Traditional and Mature Retail
• Key Elements of Retail Branding

Module 08

Placemaking Strategy

Mall placemaking is the strategic process of transforming traditional "soulless box" shopping centres into vibrant, multi-purpose destinations where people want to "be" rather than just "buy". We look at the key strategies of placemaking including:

• Creating an experiential placemaking strategy
• The 9 Cs of Placemaking
• Malls as modern town squares and social infrastructure
• Simple, comfortable environments that build genuine community
• Why belonging drives repeat visitation more than novelty.

Module 09

Smart Mall Technologies

Smart malls have transitioned from experimental pilots to "living ecosystems" that integrate the ‘phygital’ (physical infrastructure with a digital "brain”). They use AI, IoT, and high-speed 5G networks to bridge the gap between online convenience and physical sensory experiences. We therefore cover:

• Big data integration and visitor insights
• Customer journey analytics and mood monitoring
• 5G as an experience enabler
• Loyalty schemes that drive spend
• Retailer communication platforms that support performance
• Using technology to grow sales, not surveil customers

Module 10

Shopping Mall Sustainability

Malls have moved from "ideological" goals to a central driver of property value and operational strategy. It is no longer just about eco-friendly decor but a profound "regenerative" transformation of how malls are designed, operated, and integrated into their communities.

• Moving beyond BREEAM compliance
• Sustainability as operational intelligence
• Green leases, CSR, reputation and long-term asset value
• Cost-benefit analysis of sustainability initiatives

Module 11

Mall Commercialisation

Enhancing overall customer experience through the strategic utilisation of a mall’s common areas and non-traditional spaces . We look at:

• Developing a Commercialisation Strategy
• How Speciality Leasing adds to Asset Value
• Establishing a Sense of Place
• Incubation and Development of Local Concepts
  

Module 12

Risk and Crisis Management

Risk and crisis management in malls has shifted from reactive security toward integrated resilience strategies where physical safety, cybersecurity, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors are interconnected board-level priorities. We learn about:

• Major Incident Management Planning
• Terrorism, health & safety and risk analysis
• Method statements and crisis communications
• Protecting people, brand and asset value