POM’s new shopping mall

When Papua New Guinea’s retail group Brian Bell made plans to shift its Port Moresby warehouse from the suburb of Gordons to Gerehu, the company invested 30 million kina to turn the deserted warehouse space into a brand new shopping mall.

“Turning the ugly duckling into the swan,” laughs Brian Bell’s CEO Cameron Mackellar.

Featuring an expanded groupowned Home Centre as its anchor tenant, the mall opened recently to queues of people. There are 21 retailers, selling everything from homewares to musical equipment and postal services.

Drawing its inspiration from international malls, but adapting to local Papua New Guinean needs, the new Gordons Plaza was in the works for three years.

“Trade has absolutely continued to pick up (during COVID-19),” says Mackellar. “It is not levelling out; it is continuing to grow for us.”