In Singapore’s busiest retail zones, managing crowd flow isn’t just about adding staff — it’s about seeing the full picture.
At Skywave, we deployed over 200 sensors in one of the country’s landmark malls to do just that. This project remains one of the most comprehensive people-counting systems in the region, revealing the kind of deep insights only possible with scale.
Why Go Big With Footfall Data?
Large malls handle millions of visitors every month. But how do you truly understand their behavior? It’s no longer enough to count total entries — mall operators today want zone-by-zone clarity, traffic heatmaps, entrance efficiency, and tenant impact data.
The 200+ Sensor Story
From the start, this project was more than just a tech rollout — it was a strategic collaboration.
Skywave was brought in during the early design and planning stage by the mall’s appointed retail and architectural consultant. The goal? To ensure footfall data wouldn’t just be an add-on, but a core part of how the mall operated from Day 1.
Working closely with the consultant and the mall’s development team, we co-mapped visitor flow projections, entry/exit points, and critical tenant zones even before the physical structure was finalized. This early alignment helped us position over 200 sensors for maximum accuracy and coverage — from entrances to escalator lobbies to anchor tenants.
The result was a future-ready people counting system built into the DNA of the mall, not bolted on later. By the time doors opened to the public, Skywave’s system was already delivering real-time insights to operations and leasing teams.
What the Data Revealed
Once the system went live, here’s what we uncovered:
– Peak hours weren’t where they expected. Weekday lunchtime surges in certain zones were invisible before.
– One entrance was severely underutilized, while another saw frequent congestion.
– Crowd movement patterns helped predict where to allocate cleaning and security staff.
– Tenant mix insights helped leasing prioritize hotspots with real footfall proof.
Takeaways for Malls and Large Spaces
With 200+ sensors, you don’t just get more data — you get smarter decision-making:
✅ Better traffic management
✅ More precise tenant support
✅ Justified rental rates based on zone performance
✅ Safer, more efficient crowd control
Conclusion
This project proved what we’ve always believed: when you can see everything, you can improve anything.
Want to scale up your visitor insights? Let’s talk about a tailored solution for your space.
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