Over 60% of older adults make weekly mall visits, study finds

Most visit for dining and essentials, study finds.

Over 60% of older adults visit suburban malls at least once a week, mainly for dining and essentials, according to a joint study by Frasers Property Singapore and the SMU Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA).

The study, based on a July 2025 survey of 2,013 respondents aged 48 and above, finds that suburban malls are used for both retail and non-retail purposes.

Dining out was cited by 77.3% of respondents, whilst 91.8% reported buying necessities and non-essentials during mall visits.

Window shopping was selected by 54.3%, whilst 23.8% said they take strolls. About 66.9% visit with companions, most commonly family members.

Convenience was a key factor in mall choice. Public transport access was cited by 69.3% of respondents, followed by proximity to home at 41.5%, and tenant mix at 40.4%.

Transport patterns showed 43.5% travel by bus, 35.4% walk, 19.2% drive, and 1.8% take taxis.

Use of facilities also featured in the findings. Resting areas were used by 62.3% of respondents, whilst 43.6% used community spaces such as libraries and clinics.

Mall directories were used by 37.7%, disability-friendly facilities by 37.6% and Wi-Fi by 34.4%.

Spending levels were relatively low.

A majority of 56.9% spend less than $100 per week at suburban malls, whilst 34.8% spend between $100 and $200. A smaller share spend $200 to $300 or above $300 at 6.4% and 2%.

Senior citizen discounts were the most preferred incentive at 73.4%, followed by retail promotions and sales at 41.3%, loyalty programmes at 40.6%, off-peak discounts at 31.3% and mall redemptions at 30.9%.

Food festivals were the most preferred activity at 78.9%, followed by retail promotions and sales at 41.3%, electronics and technology events at 35.8% and travel and adventure expos at 31.4%.

The study also found differences in spending patterns. Among respondents spending $200 to $300 per week, 20% were below 50 years old and 11.6% were private housing residents.

Taxi users and drivers were more likely to fall into higher spending brackets compared with those who walk or take buses.

Amongst respondents visiting several times a week, 41.6% walk and 27.2% take buses. More than half of taxi users reported visiting only once to three times a month.

Commenting on the findings, Frasers Property Singapore said malls are increasingly serving social functions for older adults.

“As Singapore becomes a super-aged society, this study highlights the increasingly vital role suburban malls play as social spaces for older adults—beyond places for transactions,” said Mr Adrian Tan, Managing Director, Retail, Frasers Property Singapore.

He added that initiatives such as FRx50+ aim to improve the mall experience for an ageing population.

Paulin Straughan, Director of SMU ROSA, said suburban malls are adapting to demographic change.

“As Singapore moves towards becoming a super-aged society, the question is how our everyday environments adapt to these demographic changes,” she said.