South African retailers are as robust and resilient as any group of retailers across the globe, says the South African Council of Shopping Centres.
Artist’s rendering of Elim Mall, Limpopo. The mall is set to open in September 2012 with Shoprite as the anchor tenant.
Research conducted by the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) and the Investment Property Databank (IPD) states that the average amount of money that each person spends has increased steadily over time in nominal terms.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) results revealed that retail trade sales in July increased by 2.8 percent year-on-year (y/y) from 2.4 percent y/y in June.
Retailers trading in household furniture, appliances and equipment recorded the highest annual growth rate, according to Stats SA.
The Sapoa/IPD report shows that retail sales for the first quarter of 2011 remained positive with a 5.1 percent y/y increase compared to a -0.6 percent contraction in Q1 2010.
The return to discretionary spending across the board from community centres to super regional malls was observed.
Retail offerings including travel, entertainment, luggage and home furnishings posted strong increases in many cases.
It probably comes as no surprise then to see new retail developments mushrooming all over the country.
For almost 80 percent of people who live in Elim, Limpopo, retail will take on a new meaning when the new mall opens in September 2012.
These locals shopping in other cities will be able to shop in the convenience of their own community once the mall being developed by Twin City Development opens.
The R220 million mall will have 50 stores anchored by Shoprite, which will occupy 3 500 square metres.
Phase one consists of nearly 80 percent national tenant mix measures 17 500 square metres of single-level shopping.
Elim Mall development includes a service station and will incorporate a brand new taxi and bus ranks making shopping accessible to local commuters.
The rank will have 72 bays serving over 110 taxis and bus drop off and collection area. It will also have 884 parking bays.
We have chosen a uniquely suitable location at a bustling intersection, with high traffic volumes and excellent exposure, at the cross roads to Louis Trichardt, Giyani and Levubu, contributing to considerable flow past the site,” says Johan Visagie of Twin City.
Twin City owns retail properties including Blue Haze Mall in Hazyview, Twin City Mall in Burgersfort and Twin City Mall Bushbuckridge.
Research done by Retail Network Services (RNS) revealed that the area had a considerable amount of customers and this is expected to grow at 4 percent annually.
Twin City has also acquired adjacent land which will enable them to satisfy retail demand going forward and extend the centre up to 45 000 squares gross lettable area (GLA).
In Vereeniging, shoppers are being treated to a new shopping experience thanks to the redevelopment and expansion of Bedworth Centres.
Retailers at the Bedworth Centre in Vereeniging reckon there is immense potential growth going forward.
Owned by Flanagan & Gerard Property Developments & Investments and Moolman Group, the mall is located at the corner of Ascot-on-Vaal and the R44 in Vereeniging.
The shopper base is said to be constantly being boosted by new retailers at the centre.
These retailers who opened their stores in May 2011 include Mega Couch and Mattress who report strong trading and turnovers.
Some retailers including Simply Shoes and Outdoor Warehouse have noted that the centre overall has good general appeal to customers and they reckon there is an immense potential for growth.
In KwaZulu-Natal, leading retailers are gearing themselves for the opening of Edendale Mall on 29 September.
According to RNS, retailers were attracted by the fact that the area is under-serviced and bursting with consumer potential.
The R450 million shopping mall is the only regional shopping centre in the fastest growing township in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal. It is situated about 7km south west of the Pietermaritzburg CBD – an important hub serving smaller towns and rural areas in the surroundings.
RNS says the mall is superbly cited in what is destined to be the new retail hub and CBD of Edendale.
Located on the corner of Edendale Road and Dambuza/Mount Patridge the new31 520 square metres mall will connect with an existing value centre of 6 000 square metres and incorporate a taxi rank measuring 8 000 square metres.
Edendale Mall is developed McCormick Property Development and will feature a number of national retailers and 110 stores in total.
Artist’s impression of Edendale Mall in KwaZulu-Natal. The R450 million mall is the only regional shopping centre in the fastest growing township in Pietermaritzburg.
Anchor tenants Shoprite and Pick n Pay will both trade from shops larger than 3 500 square metres. Some of the stores include Jet, Mr Price, PEP, Truworths, Joshua Doore, Sterns, Clicks, Vodacom, banks and fast food outlets.
“The mall is 96 percent let and is set to provide a highly accessible and diverse shopping experience where shoppers are able to meet their everyday and specialist needs,” says Gavin Tagg from RNS.
Tagg explains that the mall is situated in a densely populated and rapidly growing community of people demanding quality retail and services, who are currently starved of significant retail in the immediate area.
He adds that the development of Edendale Mall is a catalyst for further growth and development in the area. – Denise Mhlanga
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