Durban - Woolworths would open a 6 000m2 two-level store at Gateway Shoppertainment World, the 127 000m2, R1,4 billion complex being developed by Old Mutual Properties on a 28ha site at Umhlanga, north of Durban, Paul Simpson, Woolworths' group head of real estate development, said at the weekend.
Mike Rodel, Gateway's general manager, said other large committed national retailers included Hyperama (10 000m2), Spar (4 500m2), Cape Union Mart, Mugg 'n Bean, Incredible Connection, Toni, Cardies, Just Japs, Europa Deli, Illy Express, Flight Centre, Wimpy, House of Coffees and Damjee Jewellers, as well as international brands such as Levis, Diesel, McDonald's and Hugo Boss.
The amount of space now accounted for at Gateway, which was expected to generate R2,5 billion during its first year, was nearly twice that of the lettable space at other leading Durban centres such as La Lucia.
"Further commitments by leading retailers to take space at the complex, due to open in October, are expected shortly," Rodel said.
Simpson said demand from customers for exciting, vibrant and sociable shopping centres had strongly influenced Woolworths' decision to take space at Gateway.
The two-level store would draw on the successful design concepts used in Woolworths' new Century City store, which opened in Cape Town in October and had enjoyed a strong trading performance.
"Customer reaction to these new ideas and service levels has been extremely positive and we will be looking to build on this success at Gateway," he said.
Simpson said Woolworths was also preparing exciting plans for its highly successful La Lucia store, which would see a strongly differentiated offering to that being created at Gateway.
"We aim to provide two shopping experiences that will be complementary and fulfil the long-term expectations of both existing and new Woolworths customers," he said.
Analysts said Gateway, which is expected to attract about 20 million visitors a year, would definitely have an impact on other shopping centres in the region, especially during the novelty phase, but that, after initial interest had waned, they expected each centre to retain its own niche market.