Sunward Park centre on track for spring opening

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Graeme Liebenberg, group property & business development manager for Food Lover's Market says, "This is a high potential site for us, as there are few high-quality retail malls in this area besides the East Rand Mall node. As with all our stores, we will create an offering that customers are currently unable to get in range, value and quality. We will strive to make their retail food shopping fun and more of an adventure, rather than a hassle."

He confirms there is a big demand for this type of retail offering in the area. "The centre is immediately surrounded by a high LSM residential area. It also has high-density middle and lower LSM markets nearby. It can service all demographic groups of South Africans, which is important to the company, with its wide consumer appeal."

Checkers spokesperson says, "Market research proved positive and we are very excited about the prospect of bringing a new generation neighbourhood store to the doorstep of the people of the area."

The group continuously aims to help create jobs for, and contribute to, the economy of the communities in which it trades. In keeping with this approach, the new store will create employment opportunities for about 160 people from the surrounds, comprising store staff and other contracted service related manpower.

"Being Africa's largest supermarket retailer, the Shoprite Group believes that its success comes from offering all its customers well-known and trusted brands and an extensive range of house brand items at the lowest prices available. Developing a modern supermarket, with all the usual service departments, will cater for all shoppers' daily, weekly and monthly food and household requirements."

Its convenient Money Market counter will add value to the shopping experience as shoppers can buy event tickets, cell phone and Telkom phone cards, Lotto tickets, gift vouchers and bus and airline tickets. It also provides facilities to pay telephone, electricity and TV licence accounts, make SASSA withdrawals and money transfers to any Shoprite or Checkers store in South Africa. This means cost-effective, timesaving shopping and services under one roof.

Dining, shopping

The centre will provide some 13 200 sqm of convenience and lifestyle shopping and dining in 27 stores. Other shops selected to meet the daily needs of this community include Postnet, MTN, Eyeland Optometrist and Hair Matters.

For the time-strapped shoppers, the centre will provide convenient dining and fast food with Nando's, McDonalds, Spur, Pizza del Forno, Fish and Chip Co, Biltong Hut and Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts.

Experienced retail leasing

The Sunward Park development represents a R220 million investment by owners Netrac Investments. Retail Network Services is responsible for the retail dynamics of the centre.

Gavin Tagg of Retail Network Services says, "The residential community in this area are established middle- to higher-income producers. Their most important commodity is time. However, one-stop, quality convenience shopping is a need that isn't adequately met in this community."

He explains that, within the eight kilometre radius catchment area of the Sunward Park centre, over 75 100 households were counted present in 2011. With a 3% projected population growth a year, there are now nearly 338 000 people living within this catchment area.

"Well-known retailers have committed to the centre, based on the strong demographic profile of the catchment community. Every retailer is specially selected to meet the daily retail needs of this community."

He adds introducing retailers to the remaining new stores will be similarly in step with shoppers' lifestyles. "A few opportunities still exist for retailers which will complement the ideal tenant mix of the centre."

A big part of convenience shopping is a central location with easy access. This is what it will offer, at the major intersection of Trichard and Kingfisher roads. It also has over 1000 parking bays.

The company has a record of successes, including Pan Africa Shopping Centre in Alexandra, Edendale Mall in Pietermaritzburg, Hemingways Mall in East London, Grayston Shopping Centre in Gauteng and Jabulani Mall in Soweto.

For more information, go to www.rns.co.za.