Malls are such an important part of our lives that even with the advent of authoritative e-commerce websites, we can’t resist visiting them from time to time. They play a crucial role in both the local and national economy.
In this article, we have unveiled some of the biggest malls in the world, from the bustling metropolises of Asia to the vibrant landscapes of the Middle East and beyond.
Not only do these megacenters play pivotal roles in shaping economies, but they also reflect cultural identities and influence the way we navigate modern life. The list is a testament to the evolving nature of commerce and human interaction.
Did you know?
The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA, is one of the most visited malls globally, attracting over 40 million visitors annually. It is the largest mall in the USA, with a total retail floor area of 520,000 square meters.
Table of Contents
19. Central World
CentralWorld Square | Image Courtesy: Imtaiki [CC BY-SA 4.0]
Located inBangkok, Thailand
Opened in1989 Retail floor area: 187,046 square meters
Initially launched as the ‘World Trade Center’ in 1989, Bangkok’s CentralWorld Mall underwent several transformations. It became Central World Plaza in 2003 after an expansion and later went through additional renovations to compete with Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok. The final name change to Central World took place in 2007.
The mall houses 495 retail stores, a 45-story office building, and a 5-star hotel with a 17,000-square-meter convention hall. The entire complex is situated over an area of 1,024,000 square meters.
18. Persian Gulf Complex
Persian Gulf Complex bowling arena | Image Courtesy: persiangulfcomplex.ir
Located inShiraz, Iran
Opened in2011 Retail floor area: 450,000 square meters
The Persian Gulf Complex is situated in Shiraz, one of the major cities in Iran that is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage. It hosts a variety of luxury and high-end brands, catering to a range of consumer preferences.
Inside the complex are a bowling alley, six cinemas, three amusem*nt parks (one outdoor) with a gaming corner, two swimming pools, and a hypermarket. You will also find a wide array of dining options, including restaurants, cafes, and food courts,
17. 1 Utama
Located inPetaling Jaya, Malaysia
Opened in1995 Floor area: 519,328 square meters
1 Utama, located in Petaling Jaya City near Kuala Lumpur, is one of the biggest shopping malls in Malaysia. It is home to the largest rooftop garden in Southeast Asia, a crossfire arcade center, and a gigantic 36-lane bowling alley. As many as six other recreational sporting centers are located inside the mall.
The entire complex was built in several phases, with the most recent being opened to the public in 2018. According to the official numbers, the mall draws in over 33 million visitors each year, experiencing peak traffic during the holiday season.
16. SM Seaside City Cebu
SM Seaside City Cebu | Image Courtesy: Lucky Ambago
Located inCebu City, Philippines
Opened in2015 Retail floor area: 470,486 square meters
SM Seaside City Cebu (don’t confuse it with SM City Cebu) is the crowned jewel of SM Seaside Complex, a noteworthy ₱8.5 billion (close to US$600 million) project encompassing residential buildings, office spaces, and a hotel.
The mall features an amusem*nt center with an 18-lane bowling alley and an Olympic-sized skating rink. It also accommodates a large-format cinema (similar to IMAX) and six other cinemas.
At the center of the mall is a 150-meter-tall tower known as the Seaside Tower. The top viewing deck of this tower provides a complete 360-degree view of the city.
15. SM Megamall
SM Megamall’s fashion hall (Mega D) | Image Courtesy: Rio Hondo/ Wikimedia Commons
Located inMandaluyong, Philippines
Opened in1991 Retail floor area: 474,000 square meters
SM Megamall, located in the city of Mandaluyong in Metropolitan Manila, is the second-largest mall in the Philippines. It is situated over 25 acres of land and accommodates more than one thousand stores, including retail outlets and restaurants.
The mall has four sections or buildings;
- Mega A and B make up the main mall
- Mega C is a parking and office facility
- Mega D houses stores of several fashion retailers.
A 16,000 m2 atrium is located between the two main buildings.
The mall often hosts events, promotions, and sales to attract visitors. These events may include product launches, fashion shows, and other activities to enhance the overall shopping experience.
14. West Edmonton Mall
Located in Alberta, Canada
Opened in1981 Total retail floor area: 490,000 square meters
West Edmonton Mall is a major retail hub in Canada, hosting 800+ stores and services, including two hotels, nine attractions, and 100+ dining venues.
At the time of its completion, West Edmonton Mall was the largest shopping mall in the world by total area. Currently, it has a gross leasable area of 350,000 square meters.
Everything shines brighter at night!✨ ❄️ pic.twitter.com/Ml9Vj2E5JS
— West Edmonton Mall (@Official_WEM) December 25, 2023
The mall has been a substantial driver of economic activity in Edmonton, contributing to tourism, job creation, and overall economic growth in the region. More specifically, 24,000+ people are employed at the property, 32 million people visit the mall every year, and about 150,000 people shop daily, depending on the day and season.
13. SM City North EDSA
SM City North EDSA | Image Courtesy: Ramon FVelasquez
Located inQuezon City, Philippines
Opened in1985 Gross Leasable Area: 498,000 square meters
The SM City North EDSA mall is the largest in the Philippines. It was also the very first real estate project of SM Supermalls. When it debuted in 1985, the mall spanned just 120,000 square meters of gross floor area. Its current size was achieved through a series of redevelopment and expansion projects initiated in 2006.
The entire complex is divided into five blocks or annexes, excluding the original building. Among these, two blocks are designated for office spaces, while the other two serve as parking facilities. The remaining block, Annex 2, houses a variety of retail outlets, restaurants, and entertainment centers.
12. The Dubai Mall
Located in Downtown Dubai, UAE
Inaugurated in 2008 Total retail floor area: 502,000 square meters
The Dubai Mall is part of the larger complex known as Downtown Dubai, which includes iconic structures like the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa.
In its inaugural year, the mall welcomed a record-breaking 37 million visitors and continued to attract over 750,000 visitors every week. Currently, it stands as one of the world’s most visited retail and lifestyle destinations, drawing in over 100 million visitors each year.
With its distinctive design featuring modern architecture and luxurious interiors, the mall boasts over 1,200 stores and services. Notably, it has a special section called The Souk, inspired by traditional Arabian markets, offering a unique shopping experience with a focus on local and regional products.
Dubai Mall is easily one of the best malls, I have been to, ever.
Still waiting for something in US that is half as good. https://t.co/vAVFScyZaX
— AmericanIndic (@AmericanIndic) December 25, 2023
The mall is also known for its extensive entertainment offerings, which include Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, a virtual reality theme park, an Olympic-sized ice-skating rink, and an interactive educational and entertainment center for children.
11. Mall of America
Located in Bloomington, Minnesota
Inaugurated in 1992 Total retail floor area: 520,000 square meters
Mall of America is designed in the form of a giant oval and consists of four levels. It has over 520 stores offering a range of products, from clothing and home goods to electronics and jewelry.
One of the key features of the Mall of America is its extensive entertainment options. It is home to several major attractions, including a theme park (Nickelodeon Universe), an aquarium (SEA LIFE Minnesota), and a virtual flight simulation ride (FlyOver America).
Step into the future at the interactive @Tesla kiosk, revealing the intricate mechanics of Tesla’s cutting-edge electric vehicles.⚡️Come check it out at Level 1, Nordstrom Court! pic.twitter.com/kMhhCynoIL
— Mall of America (@mallofamerica) December 28, 2023
In addition to these major attractions, the mall features entertainment venues like theaters, comedy clubs, and live performance spaces, providing exciting options for visitors seeking entertainment beyond shopping.
10. ICONSIAM
Iconsiam shopping mall from across the Chao Phraya River | Image Courtesy: Chainwit. [CC BY-SA 4.0]
Located inBangkok, Thailand
Opened in2018 Total retail floor area: 525,000 Square Meters
ICONSIAM, one of Bangkok’s latest real estate attractions, is a combined shopping and residential complex. It features two of the city’s tallest buildings and holds the title of the second-largest mall in Thailand.
Covering an expansive 525,000 square meters across ten floors, ICONSIAM accommodates over a thousand stores. Notably, it is home to Thailand’s first Apple Store. Beyond shopping, the complex features an exhibition hall and a heritage museum, adding cultural and educational dimensions to the overall experience.
The entire project came with a price tag of about $1.6 billion.
9. CentralPlaza Westgate
Located inNonthaburi, Thailand
Inaugurated in2015 Total retail floor area: 550,278 Square meters
Next on this list of the biggest malls is Thailand’s CentralPlaza WestGate (or Bangyai), located in Nonthaburi province just outside Bangkok.
The mall stands out with its distinctive six-floor architecture, hosting over a thousand shops. Notably, it includes the world’s fifth-largest IKEA store, spanning 50,278 square meters, and provides more than 7,000 parking spots.
The mall is owned and developed by Thailand’s largest property developer Central Pattana.
8. Golden Resources Mall
The second phase of the Golden Resources Mall | Wikimedia Commons
Located inBeijing, China
Inaugurated in2004 Total retail floor area: 557,419 square meters
The Golden Resources Mall, with over six floors and 1000 stores, is the third biggest mall in China. Upon its completion on 20 October 2004, the structure became the world’s largest mall and retained its position until 2005. It is as much as 1.2 times bigger than the Mall of America.
Initially expected to draw large daily crowds, the mall faced challenges due to its suburban location and high costs of goods. As a result, the actual number of visitors remained relatively low, particularly in the first few years.
7. SM City Tianjin
Bird’s eye view of SM City Tianjin | Image Courtesy: sminvestment.com
Located inTianjin, China
Inaugurated in2016 Gross Floor Area: 565,000 square meters
SM City Tianjin is the world’s third-largest mall based on the total leasable area. It is the seventh mall in China built by Philippines-based SM Supermalls.
SM Tianjin boasts a unique design, featuring a circular building at the center surrounded by three oval structures resembling leaves. It creates a flower-like shape when viewed from above. This distinctive architecture was crafted by the American firm arquitectonica.
About 60% of the mall’s total leasable space was occupied within a few weeks after its opening. It features some of the biggest domestic as well as foreign retailers.
6. SM Mall of Asia
SM Mall of Asia and its surrounding area | Image Courtesy: Lawrence Ruiz
Located inBay City, Philippines
Opened in2006 Retail floor area: 589,891 square meters
SM Mall of Asia is one of the largest malls in the Philippines, known for its vast size and extensive offerings.However, the unique point of this mall is its location:it has a seaside esplanade with a view of Manila Bay. It provides a scenic and relaxing area for visitors to stroll, jog, or enjoy the sunset.
The mall includes a hypermarket, an IMAX theater, and three other cinemas. Its main sporting attraction is an Olympic-sized ice skating rink (Philippines’ first-ever) located on the third floor. In 2007, it hosted the prestigious Skate Asia competition.
SM Mall of Asia also features the E-com center, a six-phase commercial establishment dedicated to office purposes. The entire complex is located over an area of close to 70 hectares.
5. South China Mall
SPAR hypermarket entrance in South China Mall
Located inDongguan, Guangdong Province, China
Inaugurated in2005 Total retail floor area: 659,611 square meters
Estimated cost: $1.3 billion
When it opened in 2005, the South China Mall became the second-largest shopping mall in the world by total area and the largest by gross leasable area. It has enough space for as many as 2,350 retail shops.
The mall, for more than a decade after its inauguration, failed to attract tenants, and as a result, it remained practically empty. Due to the extremely low occupancy, it earned itself a nickname of the ‘dead mall’.
But things started to change after a series of renovations and revamping. Most of the rental spaces are now occupied, and there has been a surge in daily visitors.
4. Isfahan City Center
Located in Isfahan, Iran
Inaugurated in 2012 Total retail floor area: 776,500 square meters
Isfahan City Center is one of the largest commercial and entertainment complexes in Iran. It is known for its extensive retail offerings and diverse range of brands.
It comprises over 750 retail outlets, a hypermarket, a museum, and an indoor theme park with bumper cars and roller coasters. Additionally, there’s an entertainment center boasting seven cinema screens and a fair complex.
— SM Mall of Asia (@TheMallofAsia) September 2, 2023
The property goes beyond shopping and leisure, featuring a 5-star hotel, airline offices, a World Trade Center, and an international financial center.
3. IOI City Mall
Located inSelangor, Malaysia
Opened in2014 Size: 821,000 square meters
IOI City Mall is situated in the town of Putrajaya, which is the federal administrative capital of Malaysia. It has spacious layout and modern design with ample parking facilities and convenient transportation options, aimingto cater to both local residents and visitors from neighboring areas.
The mall’s second phase, completed in 2022, introduced over 300 new retail stores, a multi-purpose sports hall, and new restaurants and cafes. It features Malaysia’s first IMAX hall with laser projection, ONYX hall, and GSC BIG cinema screens.
Like many shopping malls, it hosts events, promotions, and seasonal activities to attract visitors. This includes special discounts, performances, and themed events.
2. New Century Global Center
Located inChengdu, China
Opened in2013 Gross Leasable Area: 1,700,000 square meters
China’s New Century Global Center is colossal, equivalent to three Pentagons or 246 football fields, showcasing China’s ambitious urban development projects that consolidate diverse functions into a single structure.
Within, you’ll find a massive water park featuring an artificial beach and a cinema. It also accommodates an ice rink, office space, and a 1000-room InterContinental Hotel.
The building has facilities for hosting conferences, conventions, and exhibitions, making it a versatile space for business and events.
1. Iran Mall
Located inChitgar Lake, Tehran
Inaugurated in 2005 Total retail floor area: 1.95 million square meters
The crown of the world’s biggest mall goes to the Iran Mall, located in northwest Tehran. It is known for its impressive architectural design and modern aesthetics.
While the exterior features a contemporary and distinctive look, the interior is designed to provide a spacious and inviting atmosphere for visitors.
Its gross leasable area is reported to be over 500,000 square meters. It is not only a shopping destination but also an entertainment and leisure complex. It features attractions like a 3D cinema, a bowling alley, an ice skating rink, and an indoor amusem*nt park.
The mall also hosts luxury brands and international retailers, offering a premium shopping experience. It also incorporates cultural and social spaces to host events, exhibitions, and cultural activities.
More to Know
What role do malls play in the local economy?
Malls play a multifaceted role in the local economy, contributing to employment, community development, and much more.While their primary function is to facilitate retail transactions, they also affect the economy by
- creating a diverse range of job opportunities, including positions in retail, security, maintenance, food services, and more.
- attracting tourism and visitors
- boosting local property values, which ultimately leads toincreased property tax revenue for local governments
- serving as community spaces for events, gatherings, and cultural activities.
What’s the difference between physical mega-malls and virtual malls?
Physical Mega-Malls | Virtual Mall |
| They are physically built structures with retail spaces and entertainment facilities | They are online platforms accessible via the internet |
| Allows you to try on and experience products firsthand | Screen-based shopping with product visualization |
| Limited by geographical location | Accessible globally |
| Typically follows fixed operating hours | Available 24/7 |
| Offers in-person interactions and communal experiences | Purchase decisions rely ononline reviews, forums, and social media |
| Offers on-site entertainment such as amusem*nt parks, movies, and live events | May integrate digital entertainment features |
| Reflects local culture through architecture and events | Adapts to diverse cultural preferences by listing products from various regions and cultures |
Global Shopping Centers Market Size
As per the SkyQuest report, the global shopping center market is expected to reach $8.6 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.9%.
The growth of shopping malls persists due to the unique and immersive shopping experience they offer, coupled with their roles as social hubs and diversified offerings. The ability to try products before purchasing, instant gratification, and the integration of omnichannel strategies contribute to their appeal.
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