Record trade reported at the Morningside Shopping Centre

The boost in the centre's trade is driven by the addition of the new Woolworths Food Store and Woolworths Café, which opened in February 2015, as well as the centre's smart, new retail strategy to enhance its experience for shoppers further. The Morningside Shopping Centre has amplified its convenience, added to its restaurant appeal and relocated traders for a better retail configuration.

Sharon Henry, the Centre Manager of the Morningside Shopping Centre, said: "We've turned up the total experience at the centre. Our robust trading figures show we are giving our customers more of what they want. The latest changes are proving a resounding success. We've enriched the centre's retail mix with more restaurants and shops. All are great additions to our standing selection of stores, services and eateries, and are hand picked especially for our shoppers. We've also reshuffled and reconfigured some stores, so they are better located to benefit our customers."

Excellent retail performance

Chris Fleming of the Morningside Shopping Centre co-owner Grapnel Property Group, said: "The Morningside Shopping Centre is delivering excellent retail performance, especially in the current economic context. Its 10% growth in sales is streets ahead of the latest national retail sales growth figures of 3.3%."

Restaurants feature strongly among the additions to the Morningside Shopping Centre:

• The Hussar Grill, has opened its first restaurant in Gauteng at the Morningside Shopping Centre. The restaurant originally opened over 50 years ago in Rondebosch, Cape Town. The Hussar Grill's tried-and-trusted authentic grill room dining experience has become legendary for its speciality steaks and wine selection, excellent service and warm ambience.

• Love Fish is a new restaurant concept, with a name that says it all. It is brought to the Morningside Shopping Centre patrons by the creators of Afro Asian eatery The Green Peppercorn Bistro, also open at the centre, and Licorish Bistro in Bryanston.

• Pureberry is the first authentic 'Raw Juice Bar' to open at the Morningside Shopping Centre. It offers fun, tasty and wholesome nutrition on the go. Pureberry responds to the growing global demand for super foods and healthy alternatives, which is also surging locally.

Paul Gerard of the Morningside Shopping Centre's co-owner Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment, reported: "With its new restaurant and food choices, the Morningside Shopping Centre now offers more variety, choice and tastes than ever before. Our exceptional dining appeal adds to the many compelling reasons that make people love coming to the centre."

The Morningside Shopping Centre now features a line-up of nine restaurants and cafes, which also includes the menus of Fego Caffe, Pomodoro Ristorante, Signature, Tasha's, The Bread Basket, and Woolworths Café. It is anchored by Pick n Pay and Woolworths, and features 68 stores selected for their unique offering, quality products and personal service.

The centre provides tailored shopping to the Morningside community and the loyal market that regularly pops into the centre on their daily commutes. Adding to the overall experience it also has a new addition to its family - Morningside Toys.

Elevating its experience even further, the Morningside Shopping Centre's GianMarco store has relocated opposite Sorbet at the Tasha's entrance, and its neighbour, Rene Mariane, has been reconfigured into a new-look store.

Visiting the Morningside Shopping is now easier and more enjoyable than ever. It recently introduced a new VIP parking system using the KaChing app, which allows shoppers to park with no tickets or change needed.

Henry noted: "We always strive to improve our customer experience. Our mix of shops, services and restaurants is tailored to provide the highest level of service and respond to the needs of our shoppers. We'll continue to look for more ways to delight our shoppers."