Latest News

Jun 12, 2020 A History of global crises & their effect on business
We are in the recovery phase of what is being labelled the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression. COVID-19, and its spread across the planet, brought many economies to their knees.
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Jun 05, 2020 Attracting shoppers back to malls post-lockdown
Other than if it had to blow up, the worst thing that could happen to a shopping centre is a forced closure.
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May 26, 2020 Steps to rebuilding a business after shutdown
The South African business community will never be the same again. Sometimes things are allowed to evolve over time, but often change is thrust upon us, forcing a new way of thinking; a new direction to secure survival.
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May 12, 2020 Feeding the nation in times of crisis
"What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." ~ Nelson Mandela
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Apr 02, 2020 Time to trash paper receipts?
Retailers who want to appeal to the more environmentally-conscious consumer may have found a new avenue, and a road less travelled – digital receipts.
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Mar 26, 2020 SACSC COVID-19 Lockdown Update
An important update by the SACSC on COVID-19.
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Mar 20, 2020 Is retail about to be clobbered?
“When the US sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold…” A popular phrase among business analysts. But what happens when a cluster of large economies suffer retail fatigue?
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Mar 15, 2020 The evolution of Google Shopping
The first-ever online shopping transaction was completed back in 1994, when the commercial potential of a networked system like the Internet was only just being discovered.
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Feb 27, 2020 FAO Schwarz Opens First-Ever UK Retail Store
First opening its doors in 1862, FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in the USA.
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Feb 17, 2020 The true value of CSR in retail
Values and social responsibility are more important than ever
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Feb 11, 2020 Sustainability is more than just good marketing
A visionary approach to our environmental and economic sustainability is the adoption of a circular economy
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Feb 05, 2020 5G to ignite a payment revolution
“As the fifth major revolution in telecoms, 5G promises to completely revolutionise the retail shopping experience.”
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Jan 28, 2020 The rise of stores without stocks
When is a retail store not a retail store? Perhaps when it has no stock to sell to customers?
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Dec 17, 2019 The ‘Smart Retail’ revolution is here
The evolution currently taking place in retail environments across the globe is nothing short of phenomenal.
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Dec 11, 2019 Why pop-ups are a positive for shopping centre landlords and tenants
In the past, pop-up stores were frequently about taking advantage of seasonal trends such as Halloween or Christmas.
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Dec 06, 2019 Celebrating extraordinary marketing creativity
The 2019 Footprint Marketing Awards winners were announced during the 23rd Annual SASCS Congress at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre held from October 16 to 18.
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Dec 02, 2019 Innovation – it’s a numbers game
“Is it the big that beat the small, or is it the fast that beat the slow?” Whenever Jonas Kjellberg, asks this question, the majority of his audience would bet on the fast beating the slow. But he wonders whether this is really true.
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Nov 29, 2019 Retail, design and development showcase unprecedented creativity
The Cape Town International Convention Centre recently played host the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Annual Congress.
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Oct 30, 2019 The best retail marketing idea you’ve never heard of
Millions of teenagers around the world are flocking to video-sharing app TikTok for their 15 seconds of fame, while ahead-of-the-curve marketers are trying to dream up ways to harness this social media phenomenon....
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Oct 24, 2019 The Re-evolution of Community Living
Located at the midpoint of the transport corridor between Johannesburg and Pretoria, Waterfall is described by Attacq, the lead developers of the Waterfall City area....
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Oct 18, 2019 The evolving shopping mall experience
Shopping malls of the future, according to popular science fiction, will be vast atriums built of glass and steel...
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Oct 17, 2019 Hey, Leonardo!
Having already contributed the Michelangelo Hotel, the Michelangelo Towers, the Raphael, the DaVinci Penthouse Suites, and Nelson Mandela Square to the ever-evolving Sandton skyline
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Oct 16, 2019 How has the consumer evolved in the past decade?
Gone are the days when we could say, “Advertise it and they will come.” Today we must create products and experiences with and for specific consumer audiences, if we want them to become loyal customers.
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Sep 27, 2019 How to attract premium tenants
Coworking environments are evolving into spaces that are less lifestyle, more serious about business.
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Sep 23, 2019 Fighting fast fashion - one thread at a time
The Amazon is burning. Drought, floods and extreme temperatures have become a part of our everyday conversation.
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Sep 17, 2019 Sustainably green V&A Waterfront rewarded
The Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre in Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has been awarded the highest environmental rating for any existing shopping centre.
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Sep 06, 2019 Super centre raises profile of flourishing Gauteng node
Considerable renovations and extensions at mega malls could create disruption and discomfort for retailers and their patrons. So, how could centre managers and stakeholder sustain seamless service and ensure inconvenience is limited?
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Aug 26, 2019 Building a beauty brand
Entrepreneurs agree that building a new brand in the retail sector takes guts, ingenuity and a sound strategy, including an array of business principles. Above all, finding a unique point of difference is one of the most important entrepreneurial goals.
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Aug 21, 2019 Keeping up with trends in the retail zone
Excelling in the retail space anywhere in the world takes a special vision and understanding of this environment as "Retail remains the most dynamic urban market with changes almost on a daily basis." according to Dr. Dirk Prinsloo.
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Aug 12, 2019 The sky’s the limit… for now
Drone technology has made considerable advances and can be a powerful tool for many sectors of the economy. And we have only just begun to scratch the surface of their potential applications in this new digital world.
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Aug 05, 2019 Cryptocurrency: the future of retail loyalty programmes?
Since its first emergence in 2009 Bitcoin has grown in tandem with the emergence of other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Litecoin, Monero and EOS. But one key question remains: How to spend it?
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Jul 29, 2019 The mall in 2029: A future reimagined
In the ever-changing world of retail, a fundamental shift is occurring and by 2029, the mall as we know it may be no more.
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Jul 22, 2019 New retail projects abound in New England
Developers are keeping busy throughout New England with a slew of projects that run the gamut from urban redevelopment and historic preservation to new, ground-up suburban shopping centers.
Read More…Jul 15, 2019 French DIY giant Leroy Merlin to invest in more SA stores
Cedric Sennepin, CEO of Leroy Merlin South Africa, speaking at the SACSC’s 2019 Annual Research Conference in Sandton in April.
Read More…Jun 07, 2019 Kenya’s Two Rivers Mall and mega development puts Nairobi on the map
A multi-billion-dollar mixed-use urban development in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, dubbed Two Rivers, is rising from the ground.
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May 31, 2019 Celebrating Africa Month, For Good Reason Too
Celebrate Africa Month - The continent that offers what no other continent does.
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May 24, 2019 Making the most of modern masculinity
Modern masculinity and it's role in the current retail market.
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May 17, 2019 The trend: growth and innovation in plant-based foods
Food and drink products mentioning the world plant-based grew 268% between 2012 and 2018, according to Mintel. But, what is plant-based exactly? And, is this trend playing out locally?
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May 10, 2019 SACSC calls for entries for 2019 Retail Design and Development Awards
The South African Council of Shopping Centres’ (SACSC) Retail Design and Development Awards 2019 is now open for entries and the SACSC has called on shopping centre developers, owners and retailers to enter.
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May 02, 2019 Experiential retail is trending in SA, SACSC report shows
With experiential retail being one of the hottest trends in the retail and shopping centre industry right now, the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) commissioned a research report to get insight...
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Apr 30, 2019 SACSC 2019 Footprint Marketing Awards entries now open
Shopping centre owners, mall marketing departments and agencies take note: The South African Council of Shopping Centres’ (SACSC) has opened entries for its prestigious 2019 SACSC Footprint Marketing Awards.
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Apr 22, 2019 Pepkor brands take up 2.4 million sqm of retail space
The Cape Town based retail investment holding giant has aggressive expansion plans for most of its big-name retail brands, which include the likes of Pep, Ackermans, Tekkie Town...
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Apr 15, 2019 The art and science of UX design in retail
Design your retail experience around your customer if you want to outperform. It’s all about creating a platform for intuition-driven shopping – online and instore.
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Apr 08, 2019 Night-time is the right time. Or is it?
The night-time economy is an integral part of modern life, especially with the massive trend of urbanisation which has more and more people moving to cities, and a higher number of cities operating around the clock.
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Mar 19, 2019 SACSC’s 2019 Research Conference puts the spotlight trends, ‘Afripolitan’ consumers and technology
The spotlight is on retail trends, new ‘Afripolitan’ consumers and technology at the 9th Annual South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Research Conference...
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Mar 04, 2019 Roof gardens in retail not a new idea – but they continue to evolve
Rooftop gardens in urban settings are not a 20th century phenomenon. Indeed, they have been around since ancient times, with the earliest recorded ones dating back to the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia, built between 4,000 and 600 BCE...
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Feb 28, 2019 Shopping SA speaks to SACSC Lifetime Achievement Award winner Stan Garrun
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given in special recognition for the contribution that an individual has made to the industry during the course of his or her career – and specifically, for building a legacy for the next generation...
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Dec 12, 2018 SA malls gearing up for Christmas 2018
Hot off the heels of the global Black Friday phenomenon, retailers, brands and shopping centres across South Africa are now gearing up to make the most of 2018’s Festive Season which is already upon us.
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Nov 30, 2018 The Importance of frontline staff in retail
With the fast-approaching Festive Season only a few weeks away, malls, shopping centres and stores anticipate an influx of feet through their doors. Millions of Rands have been spent...
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Nov 22, 2018 Black Friday is growing in SA
The global Black Friday phenomenon has cemented itself as the precursor into Festive Season shopping and it is no surprise that it is making a growing impression amongst South African retailers and consumers alike.
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Nov 13, 2018 Devi Sankaree Govender speaks at the SACSC event
Personifying the age-old adage which states that ‘dynamite comes in small packages’ and best known for her uncanny ability to sniff out and expose even the slickest fraudsters, crooks, and criminals...
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Oct 30, 2018 Join Devi Sankaree Govender at the SACSC Gauteng Breakfast
Best known for her spunky attitude, sharp wit and an uncanny fearless persona. Armed with her microphone and backed by her camera crew, criminals, fraudsters and dodgy dealers better watch out.
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Oct 26, 2018 Changing The Game with the SACSC
The 2018 South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) hosted its 22nd Annual Congress at the Durban International Convention Centre recently.
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Oct 18, 2018 2018 Footprint Marketing Winners Announced
The 2018 Footprint Marketing Award winners were announced on the second day of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Annual Congress, held at Durban’s International Convention Centre.
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Oct 17, 2018 2018 RDDA Winners Accounced
The 2018 Retail, Design and Development Awards (RDDA) winners were announced on the opening day of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Annual Congress, held at Durban’s International Convention Centre.
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Oct 01, 2018 Fourth industrial revolution upon us
We are living in a connected society where most people have access to smart mobile devices. Having quick access to information has become an extension of our existence.
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Sep 27, 2018 Shopping centre design of the future
Winston Churchill once said: “We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.” A simple yet profound statement as we start to see architecture design rapidly evolving to accommodate our needs as the human race.
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Sep 12, 2018 Humans will live on Mars in 2032
Pablo Picasso once said: “Everything you can imagine is real” A simple yet profound statement. We find ourselves in a time where we can turn our often-far-fetched imaginations into reality.
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Aug 27, 2018 SACSC Networking Breakfast social pics
The event, which took place at the Radisson Blu in Granger Bay, Western Cape was attended by industry experts from the region.
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Aug 15, 2018 Networking with the SACSC
Later this month, economist Dawie Roodt, trend analyst Dion Chang and commerce expert Lynette Ntuli will share their insights at the South African Council of Shopping Centres’ (SACSC) networking breakfasts.
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Jul 30, 2018 SA has more than 23 million square metres of retail space
According to a recent study conducted by MSCI on behalf of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC), the current size of the South African retail market is estimated at around 23.4 million square metres (sqm)...
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Jul 24, 2018 SACSC Annual Congress is coming!
One of the most highly anticipated events on the South African shopping centre and retail calendar is fast approaching – the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) 22nd Annual Congress sponsored by Broll Property Group.
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Jun 29, 2018 The SACSC has a New President
Property sector stalwart Stephan Le Roux has been appointed as the new South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) president.
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Jun 25, 2018 Bruce Whitfield on Business in SA
“If one invested just R1000 in 1967, it would be worth R7.5 million today”. This, according to Bruce Whitfield, is the power of the South African economy.
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Jun 08, 2018 Co-working Firms Offer Landlords a way to Boost Tenancy and Footfall
When WeWork, a provider of co-working office spaces, paid $850 million last October to buy Lord & Taylor’s New York City flagship building for use as a corporate headquarters, word spread swiftly through the retail and office markets alike.
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Jun 04, 2018 SACSC Awards Season is Open
The South African political and economic landscape has experienced undeniable strain over the past few years.
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May 16, 2018 SACSC joins ICSC and National Associations of Retail Real Estate
The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) is pleased to announce the signing of formal agreements with The International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC).
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May 16, 2018 Annual SACSC Research Conference Delivers
The South African Council of Shopping Centre’s (SACSC) Annual Research Conference celebrated its eighth anniversary recently with more than 270 delegates representing the country’s most respected companies and brands, in attendance.
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Apr 23, 2018 What is the Customer Journey Map and how does it Affect Retail Real Estate?
Having an idea of your customer journey allows you to understand the experience your customers are having in your stores and shopping centres.
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Apr 18, 2018 Better Returns? Understand your Customers
In today’s retail and shopping centre landscape, it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete for consumers’ attention.
Read More…Apr 11, 2018 To refurb or not to refurb, that is the question
Keeping up with current shopping centre trends, retail formats that erode traffic or simply, a strategic need to expand or improve certain aspects of a shopping centre are some of reasons why refurbishments are done.
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Apr 05, 2018 Eighth Annual SACSC Research Conference set for May
Irish playwright, critic and political activist George Bernard Shaw once said: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”.
Read More…Mar 22, 2018 A shopping star gets even more sparkle
Few shopping centres can claim a history as rich and as colourful as Westfield Century City, which can be found on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Read More…Mar 16, 2018 Malls initiate a paradigm shift in water management
The serious scale of the drought being faced by the major city of Cape Town – and numerous other parts of South Africa - has galvanised many around the country to relook the way they think about water.
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Mar 14, 2018 SACSC students celebrate success at graduation function
It was an evening of glitz, glamour and achievement as the 2017 Certificate of Shopping Centre Management (CSCM) and Advanced Certificate of Shopping Centre Leadership (ACSCL) students gathered to celebrate their success.
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Mar 06, 2018 How tough is your mind?
Acclaimed speaker, author, Doctor, playwright and entrepreneur Dr. Steve Harris will explore the mind and his research to members at the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Western Cape Chapter Networking Breakfast next week.
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Feb 26, 2018 Ian Rheeder explores the neuroscience of retail
We live in a time where the customer is bombarded with a plethora of choices-where to shop, how to shop, how to pay and which brand to support - to name just a few.
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Feb 16, 2018 Explore the neuroscience behind customer experience with Ian Rheeder and the SACSC
Imagine connecting with your customer, knowing what they like, items they most probably are looking for or even their current state of mind? Science-fiction? No, it is a possibility with Customer Experience Management (CEM).
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Feb 12, 2018 Retail to adapt in order to cope with water crisis
Consumers are not the only ones who have to tighten taps in Cape Town.
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Feb 09, 2018 Do your homework before investing in offshore jurisdictions
In an attempt to explore new markets and expand local brands, many investors and respected role players in the property sectors of the country have extended their reach to offshore jurisdictions.
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Feb 01, 2018 Retailers and shopping centres remain steadfast
Retailers and shopping centres throughout the country are reeling in from the challenging 2017 year. Despite this, retailers and shopping centres garnered support from consumers over the Festive Season.
Read More…Jan 15, 2018 Parc Central, Guangzhou: a stadium for retail
Set in the heart of the Guangzhou’s new Central Business District, Parc Central – which opened in late 2016 – has introduced a new typology to the burgeoning Pearl River Delta city; a stadium for retail.
Read More…Jan 10, 2018 Reimagining SA's payment landscape
Pick n Pay recently took a big step in possibly transforming the future of South Africa’s payment landscape with their pilot project to test the digital currency Bitcoin as a means of payment.
Read More…Jan 02, 2018 2018 - a glimpse into the year ahead
With consumer and business confidence low and uncertainty dominating sentiment, looking ahead to 2018 and considering what the year may bring for retailers and shopping centres is no easy task.
Read More…Dec 27, 2017 Old Town Italy: it's a winner
Old Town Italy in Menlyn Maine recently picked up the award for Best Restaurant Design in the SACSC Retail Design and Development Awards.
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Dec 15, 2017 Christmas shopping predictions 2017
It is no secret, consumers are feeling the pinch. This year, has been an economic challenge of note.
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Dec 12, 2017 Average shopping centre size on the rise
According to a recent study conducted by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Real Estate South Africa on behalf of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC), malls are getting bigger.
Read More…Dec 07, 2017 Shopping centres' response post 2017 Black Friday
South African consumers took to the shopping centres around the country to maximise on the Black Friday deals on offer hosted by retailers representing all categories from toys to electronics.
Read More…Nov 21, 2017 Black Friday making a growing impression on SA retail calendar
Black Friday is the new precursor imprinting a trend into Festive Season Shopping.
Read More…Nov 08, 2017 Forever profitable businesses with John Sanei and the SACSC
Each and every business strives to be profitable - not just profitable but forever profitable. In this day and age, where tough economies have affected profitability, businesses across the globe have taken strain.
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Nov 04, 2017 Cabot Circus leads inner city regeneration in Bristol
There comes a time in the life of most cities when inner city precincts need a radical re-imagining if they are not to lose their relevance. It is not unusual for the redevelopment of an inner city area to be led by a retail project.
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Nov 01, 2017 Are you the weakest link in your supply chain?
Greg Solomon, CEO of McDonald's South Africa, drove this important message home at the recent Franchise Convention, hosted by the Franchise Association South Africa (FASA) and sponsored by Absa.
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Oct 27, 2017 SACSC Gauteng Networking Event
Networking is an essential aspect of building relationships. Networking along with research and education are the pillars that make up the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC).
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Oct 09, 2017 Aspirations report 2016 and exponential technology and disruption
As we enter the fourth quarter of 2017 The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) will be hosting two very dynamic but equally important Chapter Breakfasts in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
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Oct 05, 2017 Retailers may reach a tipping point...
In the world of the technological revolution that is not restricted by many physical hurdles, the introduction of new technology invokes dramatic changes.
Read More…Oct 04, 2017 The future is not so scary
Customers now have the pleasure of choosing between an array of conveniently positioned shopping centres with a vast variety of brands which cater for their every need.
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Sep 19, 2017 2017 Footprint Marketing winners announced
The 2017 Footprint Marketing Award winners were announced on the second day of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Annual Congress, held at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre.
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Sep 14, 2017 2017 RDDA winners announced
The 2017 Retail, Design and Development Awards (RDDA) winners were announced on the opening day of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Annual Congress, held in Cape Town’s International Convention Centre.
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Aug 08, 2017 Be the CEO of your brand with Kate Moodley and the SACSC
In today’s competitive age, standing out from the crowd could mean either profits or losses for any brand, company or public figure.
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Aug 04, 2017 SACSC Annual Congress is coming
One of the most highly anticipated events on the South African shopping centre and retail calendar is fast approaching – the SACSC Annual Congress.
Read More…Jul 11, 2017 Is Westfield transforming retail?
In 1957 in Blacktown, which was then little more than a dusty suburb on the outskirts of Sydney, a new shoe shop opened. Find out how this Shopping Centre is transforming retail.
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Jun 21, 2017 The SACSC has a new man at the helm
Group CEO of Broll Property Group, Malcolm Horne has been appointed President of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) at a recent Annual General Meeting.
Read More…Jun 19, 2017 Gautrain: minding the gap Africa-style
It seems incredible that the Gautrain opened seven years ago in June. The engineering marvel not only eased crushing traffic, but it also helped Johannesburg to partially fulfil its brand mandate to be a “world-class African city”.
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Jun 19, 2017 RDDA - recognising excellence
Exceptional Shopping Centre and retail design deserves recognition and should be celebrated. This is the main aim of the highly-anticipated Retail, Design and Development Awards (RDDA) hosted by the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC).
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Jun 13, 2017 Technology in retail
Technology is revolutionising the way we do things. From eating, to paying for items and transportation, your smart mobile device for starters, has become more valuable than your wallet.
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Jun 08, 2017 The future is near
Bill Gates once said: “We are changing the world with technology”. In the past 10 years, we have experienced some of the most defining life-changing evolutions the human race has ever experienced. Imagine the next ten years? What can we expect?
Read More…Jun 07, 2017 Mall of Africa: a first birthday
Super-mall, Mall of Africa, celebrated its first birthday on 28 April, and kicked off the celebrations with a press tour that engaged the five senses.
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May 24, 2017 SACSC Research Conference delivers insights
Consumer, technology, trends and the future of South African retail were the pillars that made up the 2017 South African Council of Shopping Centre’s (SACSC) Research Conference.
Read More…May 09, 2017 Consumer aspirations affect retail
The concept of ‘aspirations’ is not easily defined as each person has their own definition and understanding of the term.
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May 03, 2017 Botswana - still a market with great potential for SA retailers
Botswana might be a relatively small retail market but it is a robust one, as those retailers who have operations there can attest.
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May 03, 2017 Euro Shop 2017 - setting the bar for the retail industry
The world’s largest trade fair for retail took place from 5 to 9 March in Düsseldorf, Germany. Held every three years, EuroShop started back in 1966, and the 2017 event was the biggest ever, with over 2,000 exhibitors...
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May 03, 2017 Attacq the Future exposes learners to property development
Attacq the Future is an initiative Attacq presents in collaboration with its regional malls located in Stellenbosch, Potchefstroom and George.
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Latest News
Jun 12, 2020 A History of global crises & their effect on business

We are in the recovery phase of what is being labelled the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression. COVID-19, and its spread across the planet, brought many economies to their knees.
Read More…Jun 05, 2020 Attracting shoppers back to malls post-lockdown

Other than if it had to blow up, the worst thing that could happen to a shopping centre is a forced closure.
Read More…May 26, 2020 Steps to rebuilding a business after shutdown

The South African business community will never be the same again. Sometimes things are allowed to evolve over time, but often change is thrust upon us, forcing a new way of thinking; a new direction to secure survival.
Read More…