Independent retailers offered free SACS membership

Retail Network Services' Gavin Tagg.

Gavin Tagg, of Retail Network Services, explains that it is in every property owner's, manager's and broker's interest to have a competitive, diverse and flourishing retail sector, not only large national retailers, but also independent retailers, line shops and entrepreneurial start-ups.

"Often new independent shop-owners don't have a full understanding of what they are getting in to, and there are few resources available to support them," he says.

The first year of any business is a crucial make-or-break time and it is the company's goal to give independent retailers access to as much support and expertise as possible during this critical period.

"We believe that our retailer support initiative will result in promoting better quality retail in South Africa and empower a generation of more sustainable retailers."

Ensuring that the intricate and often puzzling tenant mix is crafted to suit each of its shopping centre's unique footprint, the company is familiar with the challenges of independent retailers.

"There are plenty of great retail ideas out there, but most of these never hit the shelves. If they do, it is often a major battle to make it happen and then to overcome the growing pains to become a sustainable retail entity. Even with a great product or service, retail entrepreneurs face obstacles in becoming sustainable entities, without the best management or financial knowledge".

This is another reason that retail entrepreneurs need all the support they can get.

An unforgiving shopping centre trading environment further challenges independent retailers. The returns-driven nature of shopping centres inhibits, rather than promotes, retail start-ups and new entrepreneurial concepts. "It offers little, if any, support to independent retailers. We want to change this."

SACSC support vital

The SACSC was officially launched in 1991 to advance the retail and retail property sectors of South Africa. Amanda Stops, GM of SACSC, explains that this kind of retailer support is precisely one of the services that the council provides.

"It strives to be responsive to the challenges, opportunities and successes of the retail sector and provide a hub of insightful networking, ideas, solutions and tools to empower our members and ultimately foster better retail in South Africa," says Stops.

Moreover, as it is affiliated to the International Council of Shopping Centres, its resources represent the latest retail trends and tools from around the world.

Retail Network Services has already implemented this retailer support at Edendale Mall in Pietermaritzburg, sponsoring SACSC memberships for some 35 retailers and will soon be extending this benefit to retailers at its projects in Protea Glen, Elim and Diepkloof.

Breaking the monotony

Tagg believes that empowering independent retailers could also be a catalyst in reversing the retail monotony which South African consumers are increasingly being faced with.

"Shopping is not dashing around for groceries, it is an experience. To be relevant, retail should be fresh. Shopping is about enjoying, engaging and discovering. If all our shopping centres offer exactly the same retail, because the establishment of independent retailers is constrained, it will take the uniqueness and attractiveness out of different shopping experiences."

Ensuring a fresh flow of exciting retail concepts that meet consumer needs and reflect current trends is well-accepted as the underpin of any successful retail centre - and this is what this initiative hopes to foster.

"Ultimately, everyone stands to win - retailers, shopping centre owners and consumers," concludes Tagg.