Cavendish Square recorded turnover growth of 31.2% in 2003, well aheadof the 12.3% reported by the Retail Liaison Committee, the industry body that tracks retail performance.

Tenants at Cavendish Square scooped 11 of 37 category awards in the national contest measuring trading performances by more than 2,000 tenantsat 10 retail and entertainment centres in Old Mutual Properties' portfolioin 2003.

Commenting on the performance on Wednesday, Ian Watt, managing director of Old Mutual Properties, said the growth at Cavendish Square could beattributed to a combination of key factors.

"These include a focused approach by Cavendish Square retailers and management to further develop the centre's status as a premier destination and frequent investments by the owners in expanding and upgrading the centre.The latest expansion saw the introduction of new stores and facilities,including a Woolworths flagship store, which helped drive the growth for2003."

The other centres measured for trading performances were Cascades Shopping Centre, Pietermaritzburg; Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga; KemptonSquare, Kempton Park; Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Pretoria; Menlyn RetailPark, Pretoria; Mutual Village, Rivonia; Riverside Mall, Nelspruit; TheZone @ Rosebank, Johannesburg; and Vincent Park Shopping Centre, East London.

The top national performer award went to a Pretoria jeweller, Deonnele Roux, of Menlyn Park Shopping Centre. The award for best performanceby a listed retailer went to Edgars Consolidated Stores. Its Edgars storeat Menlyn Park was one of 16 national category winners from the centre.

Code Red of Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga, won a premier progressaward for smaller retailers who make substantial progress in developing their businesses through use of a specialist consulting service offeredby Old Mutual Properties.

Businesses at Gateway, which is now being expanded less than three years after opening, won four first place awards, four second places and nine third places in the 37 categories contested. Two awards in a special category were also won by Gateway retailers.  The entertainment category wasdominated by Gateway, with a clean sweep of three awards.

Nelspruit's Riverside Mall produced the top performing supermarket andjunior department store - the Pick 'n Pay and Game stores.

The popular Johannesburg retail node including The Zone @ Rosebank producedcategory winners in food service, unisex wear, postal services and sweets.

East London's Vincent Parking Shopping Centre produced the winner ofthe health and beauty category.

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