Leading retailers Cape Union Mart, Old Khaki, Mr Price Sport and Havaiana’s will all open stores at KZN’s iconic La Lucia Mall before the end of the year. The shopping centre’s popular Dis-Chem is also expanding and La Lucia Mall recently introduced a Sorbet salon.
La Lucia Mall announced it has agreed leases valued at R125 million over the past six months, meeting the retail needs of the growing prosperous consumer market in the Durban North communities and tourists alike. The leases cover 7,556sqm of prime mall retail space, comprising 1,361sqm of new leases and 6,175sqm of renewals.
Cape Union Mart Marketing Manager, Evan Torrance, says: “The Cape Union Mart group is enjoying a period of very positive and sustained growth and sees the KwaZulu-Natal region as an area of great opportunity. That’s why it’s investing in two stores in La Lucia Mall.”
As South Africa’s favourite outdoor adventure store, Cape Union Mart will offer the latest gadgets, footwear, leisure clothing, technical apparel and adventure gear from some of the world’s most credible outdoor brands at La Lucia Mall. It opens this September.
Then, in November, Old Khaki will bring its top-quality men’s and ladies’ leisurewear, footwear and accessories. “Old Khaki La Lucia Mall is designed with the customer in mind, allowing for easy browsing in a relaxed and friendly environment,” says Old Khaki Marketing Manager Candy Swart. The store’s interior will combine natural textures like wood, brick and metal, reflecting the urban lifestyle brand’s ‘Unrestricted’ image.
Mr Price Sport will open in April 2014 bringing its authentic sport and outdoor equipment, and functional, fashionable, sport and outdoor apparel and footwear to La Lucia Mall shoppers.
Marketing Executive Nikki Viljoen reports that Mr Price’s other brands at La Lucia Mall – Mr Price Apparel and Mr Price Home – are trading well. “La Lucia mall offers a unique shopping experience, resulting in the continued and loyal support of the La Lucia and Umhlanga community that we are very happy to be associated with,” says Viljoen.
Havaiana’s, reputed to be the best rubber sandal in the world, will open a concept store at La Lucia Mall in October. Over the past six years, this popular Brazilian brand has grown into three prime stores in South Africa: V&A Waterfront, Sandton City and Gateway Theatre of Shopping. La Lucia Mall will be its fourth.
“The Durban consumer is diverse and each region and mall within KwaZulu-Natal itself comes with its own attractions, following and loyalty,” says Paul Lazarus, Managing Director of Havaiana’s in South Africa. “We very quickly realised there is a fantastic opportunity to further entrench ourselves within the Durban market and specifically to be available to the focused, wonderful consumer base that frequents and supports La Lucia Mall – a consumer that is different from that seen in other malls.”
Lazarus notes that Havaiana’s considers La Lucia Mall as a leading ‘community’ mall in the South African retail environment. “We strongly believe Havaiana’s will be a great extension to its existing formidable retail mix,” says Lazarus. “So when the opportunity arose for us to take up this key retail space, we grabbed it with both hands.”
Lazarus adds that consumers looking for convenience outside the big mall bustle will find it perfectly in the seamless offering of La Lucia Mall.
The Pro Shop opened its only company-owned SuperStore in KwaZulu-Natal in La Lucia Mall last year. Lloyd Waldeck, CEO of The Pro Shop, explains The Pro Shop selected La Lucia Mall as its preferred location because Umhlanga has become the epicentre of the golfing market in the region.
“Our research showed the balance of our customers had moved north of Durban over the past decade and we felt our location should reflect this change,” says Waldeck. He adds that La Lucia Mall enjoys a good tenant mix and is easily accessible from all major routes in the region.
“We’re pleased with trade so far and its clear customers enjoy the larger store and wider range of product,” reports Waldeck. “As well as experienced golfers, there’s also a new market entering the store and expressing interest in taking up the game.”
Besides these top-notch new retailers, several La Lucia Mall stores also recently invested in refurbishments, furthering the mall’s reputation for quality shopping. These include Pick n Pay, Food Lover’s Market, Edgars, Boardmans, The Body Shop, Perfect 10 Nail & Body Studio, Dream Nails Beauty, Nedbank and others.
“La Lucia Mall achieved double-digit turnover growth year-on-year to July 2013, yet again,” says La Lucia Mall manager Vanessa Blevins. “It enjoys enviable support from its upscale, loyal shoppers.” Leading JSE listed property company Growthpoint Properties Limited owns the 36,300sqm small regional shopping centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We constantly evaluate the retail mix at La Lucia Mall to ensure it is appealing and relevant to our customers,” says Blevins. “Besides quality brands and products, we know that our shoppers enjoy a fresh and engaging experience, and we are always seeking new ways to integrate this at La Lucia Mall.”
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