The success of the introduction of shoppertainment components to shopping
centre developments undertaken by Old Mutual Properties has encouraged
Woolworths to sign a 15-year lease for 7 000m2 at the Gateway
Shoppertainment World. The store will be over two levels and will embrace
the latest in store concepts.
Demand from customers for exciting, vibrant and sociable shopping centres
strongly influenced Woolworths'decision to take space in the Gateway
centre, said Paul Simpson, group head of real estate development for the
retailer.
"Woolworths' 7 000m² two-level shop will draw upon the successful design
concepts used in our new Canal Walk store which opened in Cape Town in
October 2000 and has enjoyed a strong trading performance. The customer
reaction to these new ideas and service levels has been extremely positive
and we will be looking to build on this success at Gateway.
"We believe that Woolworths Gateway will reflect the fresh, bright
personality of the centre and provide a whole new experience for shoppers
in the area."
Simpson said that Woolworths was also preparing exciting plans for its
highly successful store in La Lucia, which will see a strongly
differentiated offering to that being created at the "mega regional"
Gateway centre.
"We aim to provide two shopping experiences that will be complementary and
fulfill the long term expectations of both existing and new Woolworths
customers."
Mike Rodel said the store will enhance the fashion and leisure component,
as well as the food and home goods offerings at Gateway.
"Gateway's emphasis on shoppertainment is in keeping with modern trends
where the focus is on at least a three-hour experience of leisure and
pleasurable shopping. We cater to that with the Ster-Kinekor megaplex of
18 screens and 4 200 seats, Cinema Nouveau's five cinemas, and the Imax
movie experience. Concepts for a family entertainment centre and an
outdoor events and entertainment facility are currently being finalised
and will bring more dynamic interest for shoppers. They will involve some
unique aspects which have never been included in which a retail offering.
There will be several world firsts as our partners have been developing
these centres for our use in the USA and to involve as many members of the
family as possible. It is not just a shopping experience. It's about
leisure, lifestyle and entertainment as well.
Woolworths has recently been exposed to several of these new concepts in
retail environment as is evidenced by the successes of both The
Zone@Rosebank which showed an immediate 25% increase in sales and the
recently completed Menlyn Park shopping centre where sales are buoyant.