Shopping Centre News, widely regarded as the “industry bible” of Australia’s shopping centre sector, has recently released its annual ranking: “Big Guns 2026.” The list ranks Australia’s largest shopping centres over the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
This year, JY Group added a newly acquired 2025 asset to the list — Bankstown Central (GLA 54,955 sqm). JY Group’s other listed properties include Wollongong Central (GLA 63,625 sqm), Roselands Central in Melbourne (GLA 63,625 sqm), Westfield Whitford City in Perth (GLA 85,000 sqm), and Forest Hill Chase in Melbourne (GLA 61,116 sqm).
Since its first release in March 1992, the “Big Guns” list has become the industry’s recognised authoritative ranking, valued for its professionalism and comprehensive data. The 2026 list once again selects Australia’s largest shopping centres based on core metrics such as total gross lettable area (GLA), total annual retail turnover, and turnover per square metre.
According to the Big Guns 2026 list, the vast majority of large shopping centres achieved year-on-year growth in total annual retail turnover, demonstrating the resilience and stability of the Australian economy in an era of high interest rates.
At the top of the list, Vicinity Group’s Chadstone in Melbourne (GLA 237,411 sqm) once again held first place for total annual retail turnover at AUD 2.7 billion (up 9.7% year-on-year). Second was Westfield Chermside in Brisbane (AUD 1.41 billion, +4.5%), and third was Highpoint in Melbourne (AUD 1.35 billion, +3.7%).
Notably, the “AUD 1 billion turnover” club gained two new members: Karrinyup in Perth, capital of Western Australia (AUD 1.04 billion, up 6.1% year-on-year), and Westfield Marion in Adelaide, capital of South Australia (AUD 1.01 billion, up 4.9% year-on-year). There are now 16 shopping centres with annual turnover exceeding AUD 1 billion, and all 16 recorded positive turnover growth in 2025.
