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Brand Fit Snapshot

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Department Store AnchorsInternational ChainsCinema & LeisureElectronics & TechTourist & Duty-Free

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Budget BrandsValue PositioningHyper-Local Concepts

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Universal Alajuela operates as a major department store anchor within City Mall Alajuela, Costa Rica's largest shopping center at over 2 million square feet across four levels. Opened in 2015 in the rapidly expanding metropolitan San Jose area, near Juan Santamaria International Airport, it draws significant footfall from local and tourist traffic. The tenant mix includes over 100 stores featuring international fashion, electronics, dining options, and a 10-screen cinema with 4D technology, complemented by Universal's 3,349 square meters of space offering apparel, home goods, toys, and beauty products.

Occupancy stands at 100%, supported by modern infrastructure, ample underground parking, and accessibility via major highways like Radial Francisco J. Orlich. The surrounding demographics encompass a population of about 150,000 with average household incomes around $2,500, favoring middle-market retail.

Leasing advantages encompass high visibility, strong operational quality, and synergistic traffic from anchors, with rent levels typically $25-35 per square meter monthly. Drawbacks include competition from premium malls like Multiplaza Escazu, potential saturation in fashion categories, and peak-hour access congestion impacting performance. Market reports indicate robust regional growth but highlight the need for differentiated offerings amid 10,000-15,000 weekend visitors.

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Hours of Operation

Hours

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Monday10:00 AM — 09:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM — 09:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM — 09:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM — 09:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM — 09:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM — 09:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM — 08:00 PM
Holiday Hours

Hours may vary on public holidays. Check with individual stores for specific holiday schedules.

Radial Francisco J. Orlich, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Insights

Demographics and Accessibility

Alajuela's demographics feature a growing urban population of approximately 150,000 residents, with middle-income households averaging $2,500 monthly, supporting demand for value-oriented retail like Universal's offerings. Proximity to the international airport enhances accessibility for tourists and commuters, with underground parking accommodating 3,000 vehicles. However, reliance on highway access exposes risks from traffic delays, potentially reducing impulse visits during rush hours. This positioning aids footfall but requires monitoring local economic shifts for sustained performance.

Tenant Mix and Occupancy

The City Mall tenant mix balances anchors like Universal with international brands in fashion, tech, and food services, fostering cross-category traffic and 100% occupancy. Universal's diverse inventory in toys, electronics, and apparel complements 70+ specialty stores and entertainment venues, driving average daily footfall to 8,000-12,000. Operational quality is high with clean, climate-controlled spaces, though aging elements in surrounding infrastructure could pose maintenance challenges. Leasing here benefits from stable occupancy but demands alignment with the mall's family-oriented profile to avoid category overlaps.

Competition and Market Risks

Competition from established centers like Multiplaza Escazu and Plaza Real, with superior luxury mixes, pressures mid-tier categories at Universal Alajuela, where market saturation in apparel is evident per regional reports. Rent escalations tied to footfall metrics may strain smaller tenants amid economic volatility in Costa Rica's retail sector. While airport adjacency boosts tourism-driven sales, broader market factors like e-commerce growth and urban expansion risks could impact long-term viability, necessitating adaptive lease terms for resilience.

Building Details

Property Type
Shopping Mall
Gross Leasable Area
185,000
Year Built
2015
Parking Spaces
2600
Average Monthly Footfall
416,667
Owner
Corporación Lady Lee
Anchor Tenants
Carrion, Aliss, Universal, Cinemark

Detailed Market Analytics

Primary Catchment Area
5 km radius
Secondary Catchment Area
20 km radius
Catchment area population
250,000 People
Population growth rate
2.35 %
Median age
35 Years
Household size
3.5 Persons per household
Education level (tertiary)
28.0 %

Median household income
3,000 USD per month
Unemployment rate
7.85 %
Cost of living index
1303

Retail spending per capita
1,200 USD per year
Spending on apparel
250 USD per capita per year
Spending on groceries
600 USD per capita per year
Spending on electronics
150 USD per capita per year

Annual foot traffic
5,000,000 Visitors
Dwell time
90 Minutes
Conversion rate
25.0 %
Sales per square meter
800 USD per year

Number of retail stores
300 Stores
Anchor tenant presence
Yes Presence
Competitor density (same category)
2 Malls per 100,000 people
Tenant diversity
High Level
Unique Concepts
15 Unique stores

Gross Leasable Area
185,000 sqm
Number of Levels
3 Levels
Average rent per square meter
20 USD per month
Vacancy rate
5.0 %
Lease term flexibility
Medium Level
Available retail space
10,000 Square meters

Proximity to main roads
Direct access Access
Public transport access
High Level
Parking spaces
2,600 Spaces
Pedestrian traffic
Medium Level

E-commerce competition
High Level
Click-and-collect adoption
40.0 %
Internet penetration
85.0 %

Retail crime rate
Low Level
Security measures
CCTV and guards Measures

Promotional events
50 Events per year
Loyalty program penetration
30.0 %
Digital signage presence
High Level

Projected foot traffic growth
5.0 %
New tenant pipeline
20 New tenants
Mall expansion plans
Ongoing Status
City Snapshot
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