Greg Azzopardi has been re-elected and appointed as President of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) which now has some 1,800 members across the retail sector in South Africa.
The official umbrella body of shopping centres in South Africa, The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) was officially launched in 1991 to advance the retail and retail property sectors of South Africa.
The highly regarded Managing Director of the Real Estate Division of Mr Price Group - which trades as Mr Price, Mr Price Home, Mr Price Sport, Sheet Street and Milady’s - Azzopardi has been with Mr Price since 1998.
With his extensive retail experience and energised property vision, Greg Azzopardi will continue to provide knowledgeable leadership to the SACSC.
At the recent Annual Congress of Shopping Centres, Azzopardi noted in his opening address that South African retailers are working closely with South African developers in pioneering the development of retail and retail centres into many African states, often in partnership with local players.
As a catalyst for the advancement of retail and retail facilities for Africa, innovating and opportunistically embracing the next frontier for our industry is immensely important to the South African retail sector – whether it is crossing borders into new countries, discovering and adapting new technology to enhance effectiveness and performance, embracing multi-channel retailing or making ‘eco-nomically’ wise decisions by implementing green initiatives in our shopping centres and stores.
“We have weathered many storms in our diverse country and those caused by overseas markets. Nevertheless the South African industry is flexible and has adapted to the ever changing social, economic and political conditions here and abroad. The resolve and persistence of the South African retail sector is admirable. The current economic turbulence, from all reports, is seemingly far from over and fallout from the rest of the world must still affect us and will be testing. I have absolute faith that together we have what it takes to continue to grow across the board”.
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 our shopping centres as a major resource for all communities in South Africa.
