Shopping centre trade is on the up, research finds

Amanda Stops

MSCI’s latest IPD Retail Trading Density Index for the quarter to 31 December, 2015, compiled in collaboration with the SACSC, tracks the performance of shopping centres based on information gleaned directly from retail property owners and managers.

Released quarterly, this retail research tool takes into account the entire spread of shopping centres, from the largest to the smallest – super-regional, regional, small-regional, community and neighbourhood shopping centres. The latest edition of the index tracked 94 shopping centres with a combined gross lettable area of just over 4 million square metres.

Community centres

SACSC’s CEO, Amanda Stops, reports that for the year 2015, community centres outgrew other retail centre types by boosting trading density by 8.7% year on year. This was followed by small regional centres and regional shopping centres with trading density growth of 6.2% and 5.6%, respectively.

South Africa’s mega-malls, or super-regional shopping centres, notched up trading density growth of 4.9% year on year.

The country’s smallest categorised shopping centres, neighbourhood centres, on the other hand, lagged with the lowest trading density growing sales: 2.4% in 2015. However, this increase still outstrips the country’s economic growth for the year of 1.3%.

“Community centres achieved the highest average rand spend per square metre of retail space a month in fourth quarter of 2015 for food and department stores,” revealed Stops. The food index includes grocers, liquor stores, sweets and speciality food stores. The department stores category includes shops of this kind of sizes, including mini and junior department stores.

“At the same time, we can see that community centres performed a close second place for food services, after super-regional malls,” said Stops. Food services include restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food outlets.

Super-regional shopping centres

Super-regional shopping centres came tops in three of the five retail trading categories measured in the research. Besides food services, they also achieved the highest trading density for apparel trading, comprising women’s wear, menswear, children’s wear, unisex wear and accessories. Home décor stores, including retailers focussed on furnishings, antiques, art and décor, also achieved the highest trading densities in super-regional shopping centres.

Stops said: “MSCI’s IPD Retail Trading Density Index allows us to track and monitor the performance of shopping centres and their retailers in South Africa. It is valued as an important tool, considering the impact of varying social and economic factors affecting the retail sector.”

Phil Barttram, Executive Director at MSCI, commented: “The IPD Retail Trading Density Index provides a unique perspective for mall owners to monitor and adapt to evolving trends. Increased competition and changing consumer behaviour is already beginning to reflect in mall performance. As a result, we see an increasing need for malls to differentiate themselves and clearly communicate their role within their catchment areas.”

Umbrella body

The SACSC is the official umbrella body of all involved in shopping centres, including: owners, developers, managing agents, brokers, professionals, retailers, marketers, service providers, financiers, and researchers. It was officially launched in 1991 to advance the retail and retail property sectors of South Africa.

SACSC promotes the interests of the sector, both in South Africa and internationally, while addressing issues and meeting challenges within the industry. It engages with associated sectors and other stakeholders on behalf of its members and highlights the role of shopping centres as a major resource for all communities in South Africa.

The 6th Annual SACSC Research Conference takes place on 13 April 2016 at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton.

For more information or to book a seat, go to www.sacsc-researchconference.co.za.