Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Global retail experts to speak at shopping centre council congress
THIS year’s 17th congress of the SA Council of Shopping Centres brings together retail masterminds from across South Africa and the globe in September, to delve into the latest sector trends and research.
One of these is global retail mastermind Mark Faithfull. As editor, co- founder and joint owner of the UK’s Retail Property Analyst, a weekly online newsletter for the global retail property community, Faithfull is well- placed to speak on worldwide trends.
His presentation at the congress is entitled “Another Click in the Wall” and will focus on multi- channel retailing. He makes a compelling case that the retail property sector needs to embrace the digital future.
“Online shopping is a fact of life.
“Shopping centres need to acknowledge and take advantage of opportunities created by online shopping and not battle to compete with e-commerce.
“One strategy is to reinvent malls as leisure destinations, with quality entertainment, food and drink.”
Frank Berkeley, managing executive of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, concurs with this strategy.
He says: “For most consumers, a trip to a large retail complex or mall is as much about entertainment as it is about shopping. And though the primary appeal will always be the opportunity to bag a bargain, most trips to these malls end up lasting several hours and often include banking, meals, movies and other family activities.”
A retail and retail property journalist for the past 15 years, Faithfull also contributes to publications like The Economist, Retail Week and FTSE, as well as editing the Mapic publications and the World Retail Congress daily news.
Delegates will be able to hear Faithfull elaborate on his ideas in more detail on day two of the three-day conference.
Sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, the 17th annual congress of the South African Council of Shopping Centres will take place from September 11 to 13 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
For more information, e-mail confer@iafrica.com or visit www.sacsc.co.za