Johannesburg 27 February 2025: Fourways Mall has demonstrated a strong upward trajectory, closing 2024 with significant gains in leasing, foot traffic and overall retail performance. The mall’s festive season trade reinforced its growth, with a 9.5% increase in total spend compared to the previous year, outperforming the South African market average, off a strong November trading period, highlighting renewed consumer confidence and retailer success.
Gross letting performance.
Several factors have contributed to this upward trajectory. Subsequent to the mall’s owners Accelerate Property Fund appointing a new management team, between March and December 2024, Fourways Mall filled 15 000 square metres of vacant tenant space.
New retailers that have entered the mall include Baglios, Carrol Boyes, Curve Gear, Echt Coffee, Faro, Le Creuset, Levisons, Lovisa, Polo Sport, Skechers, Tasko Sweets, Uniq, Xpresso and Yokico, along with a 4 500-square-metre double-storied Value Co store. This leasing momentum was supported by 111 store renewals, covering over 38 500 square metres let since February 2024.
Fourways Mall’s letting success is further reflected in its reduced vacancy rate. At the end of December 2023, vacancies stood at 23%, while by December 2024, this had dropped to 13%. Over the year, the mall secured 44 new tenants, excluding relocations, extensions and upgrades.
Festive season trading success
The centre’s festive season performance was particularly strong. Total shopper spend in December 2024 reached in excess of R500 million, reflecting 9.5% growth compared to December 2023’s R460 million. Foot traffic also saw a notable increase, with December visits reaching 1.5 million, up from 1.1 million in November and October.
Fourways Mall’s key festive activation, Santa Land, attracted over 21 500 visitors, with an average dwell time of 1 hour and 30 minutes per shopper, underscoring the success of experiential initiatives aimed at engaging family audiences. This family-focussed offering was strategically spread throughout the mall prompting foot flow and raising exposure to newly opened retailers.
Retail category performance further highlights the mall’s positive growth curve. Fashion sales grew by 17% YoY, driven by new tenant additions, while the grocery segment saw 24% growth YoY, with Checkers recording a 31% increase in sales.
Enhanced shopper experience
Looking ahead, Fourways Mall continues to enhance its offering with new attractions. A large indoor shooting range, Tactical HQ, has already opened, providing a unique experience for destination visitors. Upcoming additions include Match Padel courts (expected to open March 2025), a new SPUR family restaurant (expected to open in May 2025), and a Planet Fitness gym set to open towards the middle of the year.
Infrastructure improvements, including a new VIP parking area, enhanced directional signage, and upgraded lighting in the parkade and common areas of the mall, have also elevated the customer journey.
With sustained momentum in leasing, foot traffic, and retail sales, Fourways Mall is well-positioned for continued growth in 2025, reinforcing its status as a leading retail and lifestyle destination in Johannesburg.
