PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A new state-of-the-art shopping centre, the Robberg Bay, is opening today, 28 November, and is set to ignite a battle of the shopping centres in Plettenberg Bay.
At the established Market Square, on the other side of town next to the N2, its anchor tenant, Woolworths, is completing a major revamp of its store, adding 700sqm, and opening its food an clothing sections, also on 28 November - a day before the traditional "Black Friday" sales bonanza.
Market Square's two other major tenants are Pick n Pay and Clicks.
Direct competition
These big retail names will now be facing direct competition from Robberg Bay's major anchor tenants - Checkers FreshX and Dis-Chem. Robberg Bay was developed by Barrow Properties.
Richard O'Sullivan of Retail Africa
Checkers FreshX focuses on fresh food and convenience and is seen as a direct competitor to Woolworths. While Woolworths aims to open a WCafe at Market Square, Delia's food home and gifts, that closed at Market Square, will now open at Robberg Bay.
At the middle of the big guns' battle will be Spar, that offers a variety of products, but sometimes at a higher cost because of its convenience.
'Semigration'
Richard O'Sullivan of Retail Africa, who has been involved with the Robberg Bay development, says it is not much of a "battle" between shopping centres, but rather a need to fulfil a demand caused by "semigration" - an influx of people from elsewhere in the country. "It is injecting new generations of new people into the town - people who have come to Plett to retire and enjoy the town's quality lifestyle," says O'Sullivan.
O'Sullivan said the new centre will "stimulate competition and will also go some way to relieve the burden of Plett holiday traffic congestion, with shoppers facing logistical nightmares to reach the various shopping areas, specifically during the peak season".
'Give customers a choice'
"I think it is positive as opposed to a battle of the shopping centres. The new offerings will give customers a choice," he says.
"If there is a battle of retailers, it will be to the benefit of customers. Competition will bring keen pricing and the one benefiting is Joe Public.
"It is exciting. Not only will it uplift the town, but will bring more jobs - and creates a bigger rates base, which is good for the local municipality's coffers." O'Sullivan added that Plettenberg Bay will benefit overall: "The rising tide lifts all boats."
'Significant expansion'
A spokesperson for Woolworths said the Market Square store is increasing in size by "roughly 700sqm".
"A new WCafe and WCellar will form part of the space," said the spokesperson.
"Apart from a significant expansion, the new store design is set to be cutting edge, modern and future fit. The new store will open following a phased approach, with the first elements opening on the 28 November for food and fashion, followed by WCellar opening on 5 December and the final jewel in the crown, our WCafe, will open on 12 December."
Process of being sold
The owners of Market Square said the shopping centre was in the process of being sold and referred questions to the potential new owners, but no response had been received by the time of going to press.
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