Sunshine Plaza total trade area has an estimated population of 436,430 as of June 2021, which is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 1.7% reaching 566,130 by 2036. The centre also benefits from the large tourist population visiting the Sunshine Coast. The average age of the main trade area population is 41.1 years. The main trade area average household income is $88,966 with 50.8% percentage of population with dependent children.

The Sunshine Plaza primary north sector extends to the Maroochy River in the north, the alignment of the Bruce Highway in the west and Mooloolaba Road in the south. The primary south sector encompasses the area to the south of Mooloolaba Road bounded by the alignment of the Bruce Highway to the west. In combination, the two primary sectors and the three secondary sectors are referred to as the Sunshine Plaza main trade area, from which Sunshine Plaza would attract the majority of sales. In addition, five tertiary sectors have been defined. In combination, the main trade area and the five tertiary sectors is referred to as the Sunshine Plaza total trade area, which generally encompasses the entire Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, as well as the inland area of Gympie.