“The analysis included collected data in more than 2.300 stores associated to AMRR, from north to south of the country. The average drop was 40% compared do the previous period”, indicated, in a press release, the association.

According to AMRR, the shopping centre stores continue to be the most affected ones with an average loss of 42%.

“Since the reopening of commercial spaces of larger dimension, on 1 June, and despite the massive price reductions and liquidation of stock, the loss of sale by tenants has been worsening, always settling in the order of 40%”, underlined the association, highlighting that June was the fourth consecutive month with high losses for tenants due to the reduction of shopping centre visitors.

In the same document, the president of AMRR defended the necessity of a “balanced regulation” and support to maintain the sector’s operation and the more than 375 thousand direct and indirect jobs in shopping centres alone.

“We can not sit around waiting for effective support by the landlords and fund that own shopping centres. The funds have announced support of 305 million euros, which in most cases are covered by defaulted moratoriums that we will have to pay later”, said Miguel Pina Martins.

This official also recalled that the rent forgiveness announced were, sometimes by means of “twenty times more commitment on the part of tenants in extensions of contracts up to six years and with unfair terms in contracts that oblige tenants to renounce fundamental rights”.