For all their innovations, many of the developers involved in these projects believe they are also encouraging the commercial world to rediscover its social and cultural roots.

Other developers are equally focused on changes in the working world which have been accelerated by the pandemic. Carrefour Property – Spain’s largest shopping centre owners – are betting heavily on this shift with their Work City concept, which will be rolling out a mix of new co-working, leisure, gastronomy, and shopping facilities across their 115 centres in Spain. The scheme’s pilot development in Puerta de Alicante is revamping the centre into a mix of flexible office space, retail and restaurants spread across three-floors.

During all this change, key principles are clear, Ludwig says: retail managers’ core purpose is to have the community visiting more often, staying longer, spending more money, and feeling safe while having memorable experiences.

“We need to keep asking ourselves how we become more relevant and what the emerging needs are,” she says. “Do those needs include access to mental health support besides traditional health services, large-format adventure playgrounds, a library, a swim school? How do we integrate customers’ routines to create a legacy for the future?”