Specialised retailer groups put their stamp on Sandton City expansion

Artist’s impression of the new expansion at Sandton City to open 10th November 2011.

Adding even more sparkle to South Africa’s leading fashion shopping venue, a whole host of new fashion brands and some of the most widely recognizable apparel companies across the globe will be opening in Sandton City this November.

Sandton City is already the ultimate home to a growing number of leading international retail brands. Now, local specialist retail groups have seized the opportunity to introduce exciting new brands with the expansion of South Africa’s premier shopping destination - Sandton City.

The super-regional shopping centre’s landmark expansion and refurbishment project - which involves interior refurbishments and 30,000sqm of newly built retail space - is set to further reinforce its position as one of Africa’s leading retail icons.

“Sandton City is one of the largest shopping centres in Africa. Its popularity, robust mix of local and international leading fashion brands and its successful trading record have made it a first choice for retail groups seeking to introduce unique new retail concepts to the cosmopolitan South African market,” says Julie Hillary, General Manager Sandton Region, for Liberty Properties. “A dynamic retail mix has been achieved which complements and enhances Sandton City’s existing retailers.”

The expansion will add a further 69 stores to Sandton City, bringing the number of stores to some 360. Sandton City’s entire retail space, including the extension, will total an impressive 143,690sqm on completion of this phase. This will take the complex, which includes the hotel and office component, to a massive 215,000sqm.

Respected specialised retailer Busby Group already has 13 stores in Sandton City, and will be extending its presence in the extension, including the introduction of a new concept Guess accessory store.

“The expansion of Sandton City adds an increased breadth of range for shoppers. The new variety and sheer size of the shopping centre will serve to draw more feet to the centre and grow overall revenue,” says Veronique Shera, MD of Busby Retail. 

“It will also continue to enlarge Sandton City’s reach which is already far wider than previously with the introduction of the Gautrain, and the superbly situated Sandton Gautrain station.” 

Shera notes that Sandton City’s new customer friendly environment, as a result of the new design and finishes facilitated by the expansion and refurbishment project, creates an exciting link between all areas of the mall and affords Sandton City world-class status. 

Based on the international model, the new Guess Accessory store will dramatically showcase a selection of high-fashion Guess handbags, watches, footwear, eyewear, jewellery, fragrances and small leather goods with a unique and sexy-sinister-chic design and interior. 

The Surtee Group, one of South Africa’s largest luxury clothing retailers, is also amongst those which identified the opportunity to add a new retail dimension for local shoppers.

“There has been a scarcity of retail space at Sandton City and the expansion of the centre has allowed us to showcase brands on a better level and introduce new brands to the centre, the country and the continent,” says Fazel Surtees of The Surtee Group.

The group will be opening an exciting new world-leading Lacoste flagship store, like those which can only presently be seen in on New York’s Fifth Avenue, Paris’ Champs de Elysees, Hamburg and Japan. The approximately 300sqm store will showcase the entire Lacoste world of products from handbags and sunglasses to fragrances, footwear and fashion, including a children’s range. It will also introduce the energetic and fun Lacoste Live to young, trendy SA fashionistas.

Taking its first step into Africa with the Surtee Group at Sandton City is Italian luxury brand Paul & Shark. Previously available exclusively through the Surtee Group’s Levinson’s, it will now be featured in a mono-brand store. The new 120sqm shop is being designed and manufactured in Naples and flown to South Africa. It will be identical to the Paul & Shark’s store in the fashion capital of Milan on Via Montenapoleone. 

“Paul & Shark already have a strong following in South Africa and, as such, it is set to become a unique destination store,” says Surtees.

Hugo – the avant-garde face of Hugo Boss – will open the first inland store in South Africa, which will feature ranges predominantly for men and a selected women’s range. The Hugo label epitomizes legendary slim silhouettes and sharp, clean tailored lines.

With the migration of brands from Levison’s at Sandton City, the retail group will be introducing new lines to this stylish store.  These include the highly desirable Nina Ricci as well as Lacroix.

Other stylish brands which will be joining the unparalleled Sandton City retailer mix include: Steve Madden, Ben Sherman, Hackett, Jack Friedman, Tag Heuer, Bellagio, Pandora, Democratic Republic, Zui, Okaidi, Nespresso, Lecoqsportif, Lulu Belle, G-Star, Crossover, Shesha, Tiger of Sweden, Kingsley Heath, Superdri, Sack’s, Maska, Fossil, Aeronautica, Addidas, Superga, Canterbury, the first free-standing Thomas Sabo store in South Africa, Lorna Jane, Drifters, Ordning and Reda, Simply Manas, le Creuset and Kitchen Passion.

The R1.77 billion first phase of the Sandton City redevelopment is being undertaken by Liberty Properties on behalf of owners Liberty Group (75%) and Pareto Ltd (25%).

The impressive extension is due to open to shoppers in November this year, ensuring Sandton City’s continued dominance of South African retail and relevance to its market.