AMP Capital seeks China malls for slice of growing retail pie

AMP Capital Investors Ltd, with more than A$17.4 billion ($15.3 billion) in property assets, is seeking to partner with Chinese shopping center owners to take advantage of an expanding middle class and transition to a consumer-led economy.

The tie-ups could range from initially providing advisory services to mainland mall developers to ultimately investing in real estate, said Simon Vinson, head of Asian property at AMP Capital. It is also open to acquiring or partnering with companies with interests in Chinese retail assets, he said.

"The China retail sector is a very attractive long-term investment play for global institutional clients," Vinson said on Thursday in an interview in Sydney. "We see opportunities to acquire nonperforming assets in good locations, good catchment areas, with good access to public transport facilities and limited effective competition."