Westfield Group said today it was lowering rents and offering shorter leases in its shopping malls in the recession-hit United States to attract business.

Joint managing director Steven Lowy said there were few acquisition opportunities in the US and that a key focus for the group would be boosting occupancy in its malls.

His comments came after a Westfield mall in Culver City, near LA airport, recently opened with 20% of the leasing space vacant after a major redevelopment

The Australian