So maintains Mall of the North’s General Manager, Sumari de Ridder, reporting that the Polokwane shopping centre has gone from strength to strength in its first year having first opened its doors to shoppers on 14 April 2011, and its popularity with shoppers is still growing. “Local consumers have embraced the mall. We value the resoundingly positive welcome and strong support we have received”.

Besides bringing a huge variety of top-notch one-stop shopping to Limpopo, Mall of the North has boosted the local economy by keeping retail spend local. Further, the mall now provides employment for around 2,000 people, with roughly 1,800 permanent jobs and about 200 temporary positions.

After its massive opening success, Mall of the North has enjoyed several trading highlights, with festive season trade being no exception. “Retailer turnovers essentially doubled across the board during December 2011,” notes de Ridder.

De Ridder notes that while many shoppers visit the centre for its vast retail variety and regular grocery shopping, fashion comes first with Limpopo’s trendy shoppers.

Our fashion and footwear retailers are trading particularly well. “Shoppers are notably keen on branded fashion labels, quality and value. Retailers that meet these criteria, like Spitz, Sunglass Hut and Edgars, are fast favourites,” explains de Ridder.

A fun day-out is also popular with locals and Mall of the North’s restaurants and coffee shops can attest to this. “Mall of the North Spur achieved the group’s highest turnover in the Limpopo Province and was fourth highest in the Gauteng Region during December 2011,” points out de Ridder.

Publisher: eProp
Source: MN