Womenswear fashion brand Glassons may help fill quiet malls when it opens in August. Picture by Murray Trembath

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Chill economic winds are blowing through the malls of Westfield Miranda, with several big-name shop closures and others believed to be on the brink.

Retailers say customers have tightened their belts following successive interest rate rises.

Some business owners also claim foot traffic is down, particularly during the week. Scentre group says there were 14.8 million customer visits in 2025.

Sam Kahale, who has operated Full Care Shoe Repairs in the centre for 36 years. Picture by Murray Trembath

Unseasonal warmer weather is also blamed for enticing people outdoors.

Retailers say there has been no adjustment to rents to help with the downturn.

Recent store casualties include Rip Curl, General Pants Co, Stateside Sports, Animalia, Decathlon, Glue, Princess Sky, Mooii and Tree of Life.

Country Road also closed but will reopen later this year in what may be a smaller store on Level 2, next to Myer.

Another highly anticipated arrival - multinational womenswear fashion brand Glassons - may bring customers back to Level 3, the most affected by closures. Glassons used to be at Miranda, and will reopen in the former General Pants Co space.

The empty former Rip Curl shop space at Westfield Miranda. Picture by Murray Trembath

The owner of one business, who is doing it tough, confirmed speculation it may close, but said he hadn't made a final decision. He pointed out two other shops nearby, which he said were definitely going.

"It has been very quiet since Mother's Day," he said. "Rent is very high and people don't spend like they used to."

Another long-time business owner said, in the present climate, it was very difficult to meet annual rent increases, based on the CPI plus an extra 2.5 per cent.

De France French bakery-cafe manager Corinne Bougreau said, "Business is slowing down a bit - it's not as busy as it should be in the morning, lunch time is busy, but it dies again in the afternoon".

De France French bakery / cafe manager, where things are quieter in the periods before and after lunch. Picture by Murray Trembath

A clothing store staff member said, "This end of the financial used to be one of the biggest, but i don't think it has [got any busier] this year."

Other comments included, "It is so dead" and "Our big boss has talked to Westfield and suggested they do some activations."

However, one operator said it was always quieter at this time of the year, while the manager of a fashion store, who has worked in the centre for 20 years, said she thought Westfield was unfairly blamed over store closures.

Sam Kahale, who has operated Full Care Shoe Repairs in the centre for 36 years, said, "I have my regular customers. I am doing well, and I hope the others are doing well, too".

Scentre Group, which manages Westfield centres, did not answer questions from the Leader about rents or the current trading environment, but provided information on 2025 spending by customers and the new stores coming to the centre.

The empty former Stateside shop space at Westfield Miranda. Picture by Murray Trembath

In 2025, Westfield Miranda achieved more than a billion dollars ($1.105 million) in total annual retail sales, the company said in a statement.

"Our Westfield destinations are at the heart of communities and are significant generators of local economic activity.

"In 2025, Westfield Miranda attracted 14.8 million customer visits.

"We continue to curate our destinations to reflect the evolving needs of our customers.

"At Westfield Miranda, we are preparing to welcome a number of exciting new retail partners in the coming months, including Glassons, Country Road, Sports Direct, Nudie Glow, Stone & Stardust and Victoria's Secret.

"A new MECCA store will also open in-centre this week."

Despite the failure of some businesses, demand for space in Westfield centres in Australia and New Zealand is strong. The company boasted portfolio occupancy of 99.8 per cent at 31 March, 2026, up 20bps since 31 March 2025.