French shopping centers saw a surprising uptick in foot traffic in 2025, with an average of 7.3 million visitors daily, even as overall retail sales within those centers experienced a slight decline of 0.2%, according to data released this month by the Fédération des Acteurs du Commerce dans les Territoires (FACT).
The figures point to a significant shift in consumer behavior, with shoppers increasingly prioritizing experiences and value over simply acquiring goods. Even as the overall retail landscape faces headwinds from a weakened national economy and high savings rates, certain sectors within shopping centers are thriving.
Beauty and health products led the way, experiencing a 3.6% increase in sales, building on a 6.7% rise in 2024. Perfumeries saw a 3.5% increase, pharmacies and parapharmacies jumped 7.5%, and opticians recorded a 3% gain. FACT data shows the beauty-health sector’s share of total center revenue has risen from 19.7% to 23% over the past three years, at the expense of apparel sales.
Beyond beauty and health, pet stores demonstrated remarkable growth, surging 26.9% in sales. Toy and gift shops as well performed strongly, increasing by 11.6%, fueled in part by the “kidult” trend – adults purchasing toys for themselves. These sectors benefit from a strong emotional connection with consumers, making purchases less susceptible to budget cuts.
The second-hand market also continued its expansion, growing by 5.3%, indicating a sustained consumer interest in value, and sustainability. Food courts saw a modest increase of 1.7%, and restaurants rebounded with a 1.1% rise, suggesting consumers are still willing to spend on leisure and dining experiences.
However, sectors heavily exposed to online competition faced significant challenges. Women’s apparel sales plummeted 7.2%, fashion accessories declined 11.7%, and leather goods fell 8.1%. Physical video game sales collapsed by 8.4% due to the rise of online gaming, and cinema attendance dropped 13.6%, with only 157 million tickets sold across France in 2025.
Christophe Noël, délégué général of FACT, highlighted the resilience of physical retail, stating that centers offer accessibility, family-friendliness, cleanliness, and security. Marie Cheval, CEO of Carmila and president of FACT, emphasized the importance of these qualities in attracting families, with 7 out of 10 French citizens visiting a shopping center at least once a month, and 63% doing so with family.
The trend suggests a repositioning of physical commerce towards experiences that cannot be easily replicated online. The Fédération des Acteurs du Commerce dans les Territoires is scheduled to present a more detailed analysis of regional variations in shopping center performance at a follow-up conference next month.
