Insider Spotlight
Total foot traffic reached 1.4 billion for the year, with December emerging as the strongest month at 153 million visits, according to the company’s disclosure dated Feb. 26, 2026.
On weekends during the Christmas peak, daily visits averaged 5.5 million, while weekday traffic reached 4.6 million.
Why it matters
The sustained mall traffic signals steady household spending and the continued relevance of brick-and-mortar retail, even as consumers navigate inflationary pressures and weather-related disruptions.
SM Supermalls president Steven T. Tan said in a press statement that the company is leveraging customer data and experience-driven concepts to future-proof its portfolio.
"As we marked our 40th anniversary last year, we reflected not only on what we have achieved, but on what the next four decades must become,” Tan said.
"With our customer as our North Star, we are evolving all for them, transforming their most-loved SM Supermalls not just to respond to needs, but to proactively anticipate them.”
By the numbers
SM Prime operates 89 malls nationwide and is pursuing a roadmap to launch one flagship mall annually until 2030, alongside large-scale redevelopment projects across its network.
In 2025, the group opened MOA Sky and ScreenX, both first-of-their-kind concepts in the Philippines, and introduced SM Active Hub, positioned as the country’s largest and most inclusive sports playground.
The tenant mix expanded with several international brands entering the Philippine market for the first time, including Chatterbox Café, Christy Ng, Funko, JD, Läderach, Mak’s Noodle, Oysho, and Vivaia.
Experiential events
Foot traffic was further boosted by experiential events and purpose-driven campaigns across the network.
These included the return of the Pyro-Musical Competition, Cyberzone gaming tournaments, IP activations such as Pokémon and One Piece, and the Grand Magical Christmas Parade.
The launch of SM Active Hub — featuring pickleball courts and running hubs nationwide — attracted over 100,000 participants. Meanwhile, SM Cares initiatives such as PWD Angels, Happy Walk, coastal cleanups, and youth summits generated nearly 400,000 combined visits.
What’s next
Foot traffic is expected to remain resilient in 2026, supported by new destination concepts such as Southeast Asia’s first adidas Football Park and adidas Football Specialty Store, as well as the first permanent Pop Mart store in the Philippines at SM Megamall.
“This year, we are bringing in new concepts that reflect how customers live, so every SM mall continues to feel personal, meaningful, and worth returning to,” added Tan. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
