[Interview] “Even during the renovation works, visitor numbers continued to rise” (Katrien Geysen, Wijnegem Shopping Center)

Wijnegem Shopping Center, Belgium’s largest indoor shopping centre, has undergone its biggest makeover since the start 32 years ago. High-profile marketing campaigns and a strong focus on service form the basis of its success, says managing director Katrien Geysen.

Eye-catcher: the floor

The shopping center is marking the end of an intense year of renovation with a grand weekend celebration. The old name Wijnegem Shopping Center is back, and the interior is brand new. The biggest change? The original floor has been replaced with a lighter version. “A real showpiece,” says Geysen. “It was night work: all the stores were able to remain open during the work, and the inconvenience to customers was also limited.” The rest of the interior has also been completely renovated: the benches, the information desk, the toilets, the lockers, the signage… And, remarkably, “We didn’t see a decline in visitor numbers during the works; on the contrary, there was even a slight increase.”