Located north of Johannesburg in Bryanston, the Nicolway Bryanston shopping centre, which opened in April, reports that it achieved record turnovers in December 2012 as customer’s baskets were seen full to the brim.
In Mpumalanga, Middelburg Mall says shoppers increased by nearly 38 percent in December 2012, with an average increase in turnover of 48 percent.
According to centre manager, Jandemie Olwage, 1 December saw a peak in foot traffic and Fridays were the busiest days of the week leading to the build up to Christmas.
Olwage notes that restaurants were the most popular of the retailers.
This community shopping mall has 90 retail stores.
In Mpumalanga, Middelburg Mall says shoppers increased by nearly 38 percent in December 2012, with an average increase in turnover of 48 percent.
The regional mall’s busiest holiday shopping day was Friday, December 21 when Middelburg Mall was open until 9pm with almost 30 000 shoppers visiting the centre on this day.
Centre manager Mike Tammadge says on top of many shopper’s lists were electronic goods while fashion retailers recorded record sales.
The Mall of the North, a super-regional shopping centre in Polokwane reports that its festive shopper numbers increased by approximately 16 percent with a marked increase in the sale of gift cards.
Located north of Johannesburg in Bryanston, the Nicolway Bryanston shopping centre, which opened in April, reports that it achieved record turnovers in December 2012 as customer’s baskets were seen full to the brim.
General manager Sumari de Ridder explains that December gift voucher sales were driven by both individual shoppers and companies.
De Ridder notes that what these vouchers are being used for is also significant.
“After the 2011 festive season, many gift vouchers were spent on household necessities at grocery stores. So far, after the 2012 festive season, we are seeing gift vouchers exchanged for luxuries like home decor, CDs and DVDs.”
Whether or not consumers will continue to shop in 2013 is a question many are still mulling over.
John Loos, FNB household sector and property strategist, is of the opinion that in 2013 there will be further slowdown in growth.
He points to the the likelihood of slower real disposable income growth and rising debt-service ratio should consumer related credit continue to grow at strong rates as factors stacked against retail sales growth.
For 2013, real retail growth is expected to be more in line with anticipated economic growth of between 2 and 3 percent. - Denise Mhlanga