Does Air Quality in Malls Affect Customer Numbers?

Shopping malls usually increase visitor traffic through campaigns, famous brands, modern architecture, and entertainment areas. However, many mall managers overlook one crucial factor: indoor air quality. It is invisible, unnoticed, yet perceptible, and it directly affects customer behavior.

So, does air quality really impact a mall’s visitor numbers? Let’s examine this from the perspectives of scientific data, customer experience, and facility management.

1. What is Air Quality and Why is it Important?

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the healthiness, cleanliness, and comfort level of the air people breathe indoors.

In crowded, high-traffic areas like malls, key IAQ factors include:

• CO₂ concentration

• Particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10)

• VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

• Odor levels

• Temperature, relative humidity, and air movement

Low air quality can cause headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, attention difficulties, and impaired odor perception. Even if visitors are unaware of the technical reasons, they feel discomfort and may leave.

2. How Do Customers Perceive Air Quality?

Visitors cannot measure air quality directly but sense it through indicators:

In other words, customers may not know the technical details but perceive discomfort and tend to reduce their stay.

3. Scientific Data

According to a 2017 Harvard IAQ study:

• CO₂ levels above 1000 ppm reduce decision-making capacity by 15%

• High VOC environments decrease shopping time by 18%

• Unpleasant odors and poor air circulation reduce visitor stay time by 30%

Poor air quality is therefore not only discomfort—it directly translates to commercial loss.

4. Effects on Visitor Traffic

Low air quality in malls results in:

• Shorter time spent by visitors

• Reduced seating duration in restaurants and cafés

• Lower spending per customer

• Decreased repeat visits

• Negative word-of-mouth perception: “That mall is stuffy”

5. Five Effective Ways to Improve Mall Air Quality

1. Increase Fresh Air Supply

   • Minimum 20 m³/h of fresh air per person

   • Automated control via CO₂ sensors

   • Energy recovery in air ducts to improve efficiency

2. Upgrade Filter Quality

   • Minimum F7 pre-filter + F9 fine filter

   • Use active carbon or electrostatic filters in food courts

3. Use Air Quality Sensors

   • CO₂, VOC, PM2.5 sensors integrated with building automation

   • System warning and automatic intervention at critical levels

4. Plan Odor and Exhaust Management

   • Separate exhaust and filtration systems for kitchens

   • Ensure WC, technical areas, and parking air do not mix with mall spaces

5. Regular Maintenance and Cleaning

   • Check filters every 3 months

   • Clean ducts annually

   • Test fans, dampers, and sensors

6. Clean Air = Longer Stay = Higher Revenue

Pilot study in a German mall after improving indoor air quality:

Thus, air quality directly impacts revenue, not just health.

7. Strategic Recommendations for Mall Management

• Measure visitor comfort (CO₂ and VOC sensor data)

• Display air quality data digitally → builds trust

• Plan ecology units specifically for food court areas

• Automatically adjust fresh air supply according to visitor numbers

• Monitor and analyze odor complaints to identify problem areas

Invisible Air Determines Visible Revenue

Indoor air quality in shopping malls is not merely a technical detail; it is a strategic factor that directly affects customer experience and spending behavior. To see ROI, improve not only what is visible but also the air itself.

Remember: “Good air goes unnoticed, but bad air is never forgotten.”

İlker KURAN
Alperen Engineering Ltd.