A field survey on commercial occupation and a portrait of street commerce in Montreal, from May to August 2023, aims to develop a portrait of street commerce in the Montreal metropolitan area in order to list the premises intended for the practice of an economic activity (but excluding industrial and institutional activities).
This data makes it possible to measure the occupancy status of commercial premises, to monitor the evolution of street commerce and to produce various analyses and thematic maps. Data collection for this edition took place between May and August 2023 across the entire territory of the Montreal agglomeration and made it possible to identify 28,256 commercial premises. This survey targeted premises with commercial signage visible from the street and located on the ground floor as well as those located in the basement.
Commercial proximity
Main commercial streets in Montreal
Montreal has several major commercial streets that attract many visitors and residents. Here are some of the main commercial streets:
Mount Royal Avenue: From Park Avenue to Iberville
Duluth Street: From Saint-Laurent to Saint-Denis
Laurier Avenue: from St-Laurent to Côte Ste-Catherine
Saint-Laurent Boulevard: From Viger to Henri-Bourrassa
Ontario Street: From Nicolet to Pie-IX
Bernard Street: With three different sections
Fleury Street: From St-Hubert to St-Michel Boulevard
Masson Street: From 2nd Avenue to Saint-Michel Boulevard
Wellington Street: From 6th Avenue to Regina
Castelnau Street: From Saint-Denis to De Gaspé
Saint-Denis Street: From Boul. René-Lévesque to Crémazie
St-Hubert Street: From Rosemont to Crémazie Boulevard
Crescent Street: From René-Lévesque to De Maisonneuve Boulevard
Monkland Avenue: From Décarie Blvd. to Westminster Ave.
Sainte-Catherine Street East and West: Main commercial artery
Shopping centers
Shopping mall culture has become big business as shopping malls have evolved into multi-story structures housing a large number of stores that sell various products and services.
Shopping malls house a collection of retail stores and restaurants, adjoining pedestrian areas or an exclusive pedestrian street.
The Island of Montreal has more than 40 major shopping centers that offer a complete and enjoyable shopping experience.
Here are some of the major shopping centers:
Montreal Eaton Centre
Desjardins Complex
Place Montreal Trust
Angrignon Crossroads
The Galleries of Anjou
Place Ville-Marie
The Mont-Royal Courtyards
Alexis Nihon Square
Rockland Center
Place Versailles
The RoyalMount
Advantages & disadvantages for
shopping centers
Parking availability
Parking is one of the biggest hassles for people shopping in the city. Shopping in malls eliminates this problem, as parking is available free of charge or for a minimal fee. Shopping malls incorporate large parking areas into their design and construction. Therefore, it is advantageous for people to choose to shop in a mall rather than in a single store.
One-stop shopping and entertainment center
Visiting a mall is advantageous because of the many stores housed in a single complex. Groceries, clothing, shoes, reading materials, food courts, movie theaters, and game rooms are all available in one place. It's possible to spend an entire day at the mall, shopping, eating, going to the movies, or playing games. Malls are great places to meet up with friends over coffee at a cafe or a meal at the food court. Families do their weekly shopping, pick up odds and ends, and entertain the kids at the mall.
Disadvantages of a shopping mall
One of the main drawbacks of shopping malls is their excessive crowding, especially on weekends and holidays. Sometimes it seems like everyone has the same idea—to gather at the mall. The crowded aisles and stores make shopping very difficult; people often end up forgetting the items they were supposed to buy. Elderly people with mobility issues may have difficulty navigating the mall due to the large size of the place.
Parking can become a problem when the mall is busy.
Shopping malls, a drain on resources
Shopping malls contain a large number of products and services. It's not always easy to go to a mall and leave with only what you came to buy. The temptation to browse is always present, and browsing often leads to buying things you don't need. It becomes increasingly difficult to stick to a monthly budget every time you visit the mall. With all the sales and special offers designed to tempt shoppers, saying "no" becomes very difficult.
The Future of Shopping Malls
Towards a reinvention by 2030
The world of commerce is evolving at breakneck speed, and shopping malls are no exception.
In the first episode of her podcast, Vision Retail, Myriam Hajji, Head of Development and Marketing at Accessite, sits down with Alexandre Séjourné, CEO of Accessite, to discuss the future of shopping centers by 2030.
This interview reveals fascinating insights into how these iconic spaces must reinvent themselves to survive and thrive in a changing retail landscape.
Alexandre Séjourné discusses a radical shift in the design and operation of shopping centers. According to him, although some centers are doomed to close, this does not mean the end of shopping centers as a concept. On the contrary, he emphasizes that these spaces must evolve to become experiential spaces integrating diverse uses. This transformation implies a complete reevaluation of their role and place in the urban fabric.
Towards versatile and connected spaces
The shopping centers of tomorrow will be designed to offer much more than just a shopping experience. They will become multipurpose hubs, offering a variety of services and activities that go beyond traditional shopping. These locations will need to integrate harmoniously into the city, becoming centers of community and cultural life.
By adopting a customer-centric approach, shopping centers can offer relaxation areas, cultural facilities, and even shared workspaces. The idea is to create environments where visitors can enjoy entertainment, meet, and work while shopping.
Priority to environmental sustainability
One of the major challenges facing shopping centers is the need to adopt sustainable practices. Alexandre Séjourné emphasizes that shopping centers must prioritize environmental sustainability. This includes integrating green technologies, reducing carbon footprints, and optimizing resource use. Sustainability is not limited to environmental aspects, but also encompasses a more responsible approach to waste and resource management.
Synergy with digital
To remain relevant, shopping centers must also leverage digital advancements. Integrating digital solutions creates synergy with physical retail. For example, implementing technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality can transform the shopping experience, offering customers more engaging and personalized interactions.
The Place Versailles case
The end has come for Place Versailles in Montreal. The shopping center will be gradually demolished to make way for housing. Built in 1963, this mall was the first indoor shopping center in Quebec, featuring 4,000 parking spaces and 225 commercial units.
The new project will include 5,000 housing units, a school, a hotel, and commercial spaces. It's a major transformation. The official statement reads: "The main aspects of the project involve gradually demolishing the shopping center in phases to create an attractive and welcoming urban living environment."
The Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough explains: "For most of the project, the proposed building heights range from 12 to 16 stories. However, two landmark buildings are planned on the site, reaching a maximum height of 25 stories and 115 meters."
Source: La Presse