Synergy Income Fund has recently enhanced its management structure by bringing its full property management operations in-house.

South Africa's retail and consumer industry is facing a difficult and challenging business environment in the aftermath of the global economic recession, according to a report issued today by professional services firm PwC.

Emalahleni’s only regional shopping centre, Highveld Mall, set to launch phase 3 on 25 October 2012, will offer customers even more of what they enjoy.

In possibly the strongest demonstration of its commitment to the retail and previously disadvantaged sectors, Nedbank not only provided the R255 million finance for the building of the new Protea Glen Mall in Soweto, but has also taken an equity stake. 

The purchase of two shopping centres by Synergy Income Fund Limited, in part through a R234 million loan from Nedbank, further underscores the bank’s commitment to the listed and retail property sectors.

Delegates hoping to gain a diversity of insight at the 16th annual SA Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Congress will not be disappointed, as the theme of Connect: The Power of Personal plays out across a variety of retail topics.

The community of Philippi in the southern suburbs of Cape Town will soon enjoy access to its own conveniently located shopping centre as a result of the recent approval of a R70 million loan facility by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance: Cape.

With real retail sales for the first quarter of 2012 rising by 1% year-on-year, retailers are anticipating a slow-growth year – in line with decreasing economic prospects in both the domestic and global economies. Nonetheless, expectations are for positive retail growth in 2012 – thanks to key metrics like increasing employment levels, higher real renumeration and lower household debt

“SA’s lower income market is showing the highest growth in retail demand. Yet formal retail in many rural towns and township markets lags demand, owing to a shortage of quality shopping centres,” says William Brooks, CEO of Synergy Income Fund. This lower income shopping spend is driving higher performance for listed property and IPD research now proves that on a risk adjusted basis, rural/secondary market retail centres are performing strongly

The International Convention Centre in Durban is the place to be when the largest gathering of retail and retail property people in Africa, with over 1300 delegates, kicks off in September this year with the SA Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) 16th Annual Congress. The congress is supported by the International Council of Shopping Centres.