Exploring Phnom Penh’s Shopping Malls – A New Era of Retail in the Capital
Phnom Penh’s retail scene has come a long way since the early days of Sorya Shopping Center (thankfully!), which once held the distinction of being the city’s most modern shopping experience. With Cambodia’s first escalator and a chaotic indoor market vibe, it marked a modest beginning. Today, the city boasts a collection of modern malls that rival those in major Asian capitals, offering everything from luxury fashion to local brands, entertainment, and world-class dining.
The Aeon Revolution – The Malls That Changed the Game
When Aeon Mall Phnom Penh opened its doors in 2014, it was the first true modern shopping mall in Cambodia, bringing international retail to the heart of the capital. Located on Sothearos Boulevard, this medium-sized mall quickly became a favorite for locals and expats alike, with well-known brands like H&M, Nine West, Ecco, Superdry, and Decathlon. It also introduced Phnom Penh to Nojima for electronics, a vibrant World Dining food court, and a lively plaza for regular events. The mall remains a convenient one-stop destination for everything from high-end fashion to sports gear and electronics.
👉 Check it out here: Aeon Mall Phnom Penh
Four years later, Aeon Mall 2 opened in the fast-developing Sen Sok district, offering even more retail space and a massive Decathlon for sports enthusiasts. With its sprawling layout, this second location features a Major Cineplex, a bowling alley, and a wide variety of Asian and Western dining options, making it a full day-out destination for families and shoppers alike.
Photo: Aeon Mall Phnom Penh
👉 Plan your visit: Aeon Mall Sen Sok City
In 2023, Aeon raised the stakes again with its third and largest Cambodian mall, Aeon Mall 3 in Mean Chey. Spanning 174,000 square meters, this impressive complex features huge LCD screens, a spacious outdoor park, and a range of high-end brands. Located along the road to Phnom Penh’s new international airport, it’s a glimpse into the city’s rapidly changing skyline.
👉 Explore more: Aeon Mall 3
Chip Mong Takes on the Big Players
Not to be outdone, local developer Chip Mong Group has also entered the fray. Known for its supermarkets and residential projects, the group first dipped its toes into the mall business with Chip Mong Noromall on Norodom Boulevard, a smaller, less prominent mall that has struggled to capture the same level of foot traffic as its competitors.
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However, Chip Mong 271 Mega Mall, which opened in 2023 on the edge of the city center, has made a far bigger splash. With Cambodia’s first Zara outlet, along with upscale brands like Paul Smith, Karl Lagerfeld, Smeg, Lacoste, and more, this mall has quickly become a must-visit for Phnom Penh’s fashion-forward crowd. It also offers more familiar names like H&M, Routine, Charles & Keith, and the ever-popular Kohnan Japan Home Center.
👉 Visit the site: Chip Mong 271 Mega Mall
Photo: Chip Mong 271 Mega Mall
Smaller Players and Mixed-Use Developments
Beyond the big names, Phnom Penh also hosts a range of smaller shopping centers that offer unique experiences. Olympia Mall, part of the Olympia City development, offers a modern retail environment with a mix of local and international brands. Exchange Square Mall in the financial district is another popular option, known for its sleek design and convenient location for office workers.
TK Avenue in Toul Kork stands out as a more open-air shopping center, catering to the growing residential community in the area. Meanwhile, Sorya Center Point, a modernized version of the original Sorya Shopping Center, has emerged as a more polished, family-friendly destination after a recent multi-million dollar renovation.
👉 Learn more about these smaller hubs:
The Future of Retail in Phnom Penh
With a growing middle class and a surge in foreign investment, Phnom Penh’s appetite for modern retail shows no signs of slowing down. Developers like Peng Huoth and Chip Mong are betting big on the future of shopping malls, adding leisure facilities, entertainment options, and even residential components to their projects to capture the city’s evolving lifestyle trends.
As the city continues to grow, so too does the demand for global brands and sophisticated shopping experiences. For now, locals and expats have a range of impressive malls to choose from – each offering its own take on the Phnom Penh retail experience.
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
