This is set to be the first store of its kind in a central business district and its success could herald the roll out of a number of similar stores which the group is currently considering in major CBDs across South Africa.

The store is targeted at convenience food shopping for the day-time office market with the quality and value associated with this leading South African retail brand.

“In addition to lunches and a good range of prepared meals, the store will provide all the basics from bread and milk to fresh produce and general groceries,” says Rendani Rathando, Senior Real Estate Manager for Woolworths.

“There is a move to return to the CBD and a substantial number of companies are investing in offices in the area. Many of these office workers are aspirant Woolworths customers,” notes Rathando.

The location Woolworths has selected is in one of the most vibrant quarters of the Johannesburg CBD - in the heart of the city’s financial district.

Sharing Rathando’s positive view of the Johannesburg CBD is Amdec Property Development, which has been active in enhancing and re-energising this corner of the city over the past two years.

“Amdec is firmly establishing 28 Harrison Street as the city’s premier business location and is resolutely committed to the Johannesburg CBD,” notes Nicholas Reyneke, Investment Manager of Amdec.

28 Harrison Street is ideally situated one block south of the “Government precinct”, and about two blocks from the Gauteng Legislature building. As arguably the youngest “A” grade building in the Johannesburg CBD having been completed in the mid-1990s, its aesthetics and finishes, including exquisite marble, are of the highest quality found in the CBD.

One year after taking ownership of 28 Harrison Street in October 2006, Amdec had transformed office vacancies of 12,500m2 of the 19,500m2 building to full occupancy by August 2007 and upgraded the address to the highest standards. “Woolworths will be the final, special ingredient, in this wonderful regeneration,” says Reyneke.

Woolworths fellow tenants in 28 Harrison Street include call centre company, The Dialogue Group, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Capitec Bank, the Ombudsman for Banking and Tshikululu Social Investments.

In addition to 28 Harrison Street, Amdec co-owns the nearby 88 Fox Street, Consolidated Building and Drummond Garage (a 450-bay parkade) - all located within a three-block area.

“This is a wonderfully vibrant node within the city with top-notch companies which attract aspirant staff. The new Woolworths Micro Foods at 28 Harrison Street will allow these consumers convenient shopping during the day, instead of having to race home in the hopes of getting to suburban shops before closing time,” notes Rathando.

Rathando elaborates that the store will assess trends as it trades, constantly refining both its product lines and its hours to meet the market needs. “Trading hours are difficult to assess prior to opening. Typically we would consider trading hours for a day-time office market to be until 6pm on weekdays and lunch-time on Saturday. The CBD is, however, certainly experiencing a resurgence of residential developments, so we will assess the ebb and flow of demand dynamics on an ongoing basis,” explains Rathando.