MEGA shopping center is a chain of shopping centres that was founded and previously managed and operated by IKEA Centres Russia (which was a part of the IKEA Group). On 28 September 2023, IKEA has since sold the operations of all 14 MEGA Shopping Centres to Gazprombank.[1]
MEGA provides about 1.735 million sqm of retail space, and more than half of its tenants are represented by international retailers. It owns and operates 41 malls in 14 countries along with 25 retail parks.[citation needed]
IKEA Centres Russia
IKEA Centre Russia was a part of IKEA Centres, which is IKEA Group's global shopping centre company. Present in China, and Europe (including the Nordic countries).
IKEA Centres Russia was the largest developer on the Russian market with 14 MEGA branded shopping centres located in Russia's 11 largest cities with more than 250 million visitors annually.[2] Each centre comprises circa 124,000 sqm with approximately 200 stores each.[3]
Operations of IKEA Centres in Russia as of 2023[update]:
14 MEGA shopping centers[4] (operations of the shopping centers have since been sold to Gazprombank)
11 Russian cities
RUB 98 billion investment
2.32 million sqm overall retail space
232 million visitors per year
2.6 billion visitors since the first MEGA opening
over 1100 co-workers
123.960 sqm average GLA of each MEGA shopping center (1,735,000 sqm total)
97% brand awareness level in the cities of presence
2014 — Russia investment plans announced, the investment amount exceeds RUB 100 billion. The money will be spent on the commercial upgrade in the existing shopping centres and new shopping centres development.[19]
2022 — In a response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, IKEA closed on a temporary basis but stated that it kept the MEGA shopping centres open to "ensure that ... people ... [had] access to ... food, groceries and pharmacies."[20]
2023 - IKEA sold the operations of the MEGA Family Shopping Centre chain in Russia to Gazprombank on 28 September 2023.[21]
On 9 December 2022, a major fire started in the MEGA shopping centre in Khimki, burning 18,000 square metres (190,000 sq ft) of the centre, with one death. Local authorities stated that the fire was not the result of arson. A criminal investigation based on safety violations was opened into the incident.[22]
In 2014, the company announced plans for the food courts renovations and a new concept launch for cafes and restaurants in MEGAs. The project was part of the global modernisation programme in MEGA shopping centers.[citation needed]
Within the renewed format, cafes and restaurants are united in one space with a sitting area and leisure and entertainment zones.
In December 2015, MEGA Teply Stan finished a massive reconstruction of the food court.[24]
Within the commercial upgrade programme in the shopping centers and food courts reconstruction, in 2016 MEGA shopping centers opened new cafes and restaurants: Correa's, ObedBufet (Ginza Project), Kitchennete, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts Menza, Zotman Pizza Pie and others. MEGA Khimki opened the largest culinary studio by Julia Vysotskaya and a unique farmer market MEGA FARM LavkaLavka. MEGA Teply Stan opened a US Magnolia Bakery.[citation needed]
Financial results
In 2015 financial year, the footfall to MEGA shopping centers was 275 million visitors. On average, MEGA shopping centers in Moscow are visited by 35 million customers per year.
The overall tenant sales in 2015 financial year were RUB 362 billion. Based on the results of the 2015 financial year, the share of free space (on average in all MEGA centers) is 1.4%.[2]
^"IKEA pauses operations in Russia and Belarus" (Press release). Archived from the original on 2022-03-03. Ingka Group has taken the decision to pause all IKEA Retail operations in Russia, while the shopping centre Mega, will continue to be open to ensure that the many people in Russia have access to their daily needs and essentials such as food, groceries and pharmacies.