Mall of the North celebrates five years of excellence

Mall of the North in Polokwane, an icon of Limpopo’s capital, celebrates its fifth anniversary today. Offering shoppers the largest and most comprehensive selection of shops, restaurants and the only cinema complex in Limpopo, Mall of the North has celebrated many major achievements since its launch in 2011.
“Looking back over the last five years, we are more than pleased with what we have achieved so far. From a zero base in the beginning of 2011, our shopper numbers have grown each year to nearly 8,5 million annually,” says Sumari de Ridder, General Manager for Mall of the North.
The 75 000 m² shopping mall is unmatched in its dominance in the region.
Trading at Mall of the North has also grown from strength to strength. “We have achieved double-digit turnover growth every year since our opening,” reports de Ridder.
From May to December 2011, during the Mall of the North’s first calendar year, the shopping centre achieved just below R1 billion in turnover. In 2015, this figure had doubled to nearly R2 billion.
“Our retailers play a very big role in the success we have achieved so far,” adds de Ridder. “We are happy to say that most of our original tenants are still with us and we feel privileged to be able to celebrate this birthday with them.”
The Mall of the North has, however, made some retail improvements over the past five years, to ensure its offering remains in step with the latest trends. De Ridder believes adding tenants like Cotton On, Foschini Kids, and Soda Bloc have proved a major attraction within the province, contributing significantly to improving the mall and the first-class shopping experience it provides.
A major attraction to both visitors and residents within the province, Mall of the North has become a crucial part of the local economy as one of the biggest ratepayers in Polokwane. It has also created at least 2 000 jobs.
From its very inception, Mall of the North has been actively committed to supporting its surrounding communities and being a good citizen.
“In the relatively short time the mall has existed, we have strived to make a big difference in the lives of our shoppers. From giveaways and competitions to supporting charities through events and donations, Mall of the North is committed to giving back to the community in ways that have positive and meaningful impacts,” says de Ridder.
The mall has brought relief to those in difficult circumstances with donations of wheelchairs, early Christmas presents, blankets, fun days, funds and volunteer services. It has supported worthy causes, a few of which include the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Polokwane Nasorgsentrum vir Intellektueel Gestremdes, Tzaneen Care Group, Mable Choeu Crèche and Cancer Association of South Africa.
Mall of the North has also presented an exciting line-up of events to become the centre of family fun for the city and its surrounding areas.
“We recently hosted our second Mall of the North Marathon event, which is also a qualifying race for the Comrades Marathon. Another big event for us was our Bridal competition, where one lucky bride won a
R150 000 wedding package, and a VW Polo. The wedding was held in Polokwane, a big boost for local businesses,” says de Ridder.
So far this year alone, Mall of the North has generated almost R70 000 for charity with its Second Honeymoon Competition, which also gave its lucky winners a romantic break in Mauritius.
“Most of all, on our fifth anniversary, we really appreciate the wonderful and loyal customers who welcomed us into their community and have continued to support us. They have made Mall of the North the success story it is today,” thanks de Ridder.
With so many exciting things still to come, make sure you visit the Mall of the North on Facebook, or its website www.mallofthenorth.co.za, to keep up with the latest news, events, and competitions.
Postnet
Postnet offers its services in Mall of the North and has branches in Library Gardens, Hampton Court, Flora Park and Polokwane North. They are also at Paledi Mall, Bela-Bela and Sovenga Mall.
Popular facilities that are offered by the franchises that are owned by leading businessperson Mboya Simango are national and international courier services as well as digital facilities such as an internet café, computer time rental, scanning, Email and Fax2Email.
Fax, copy and print services are available and customers don’t have to go anywhere else for design, binding and laminating, wide format and plan printing, business cards, banners and flags or to pay DStv fees.
The business also supplies stationery, packaging material, rubber stamps and name badges. Safe and secure mailboxes are also available on a rental basis.
Fashion World
Because the fashion and retail industry in South Africa is unique, the challenges faced to cater for an emerging and continually evolving market are phenomenal. To bridge the existing divide and in an attempt to address the needs of the local market, the creation of Fashion World saw a new light coming to the fore, one that guided the public’s choices in terms of quality and designer fashion, with a truly South African touch. Fashion World stores stock garments to suit every individual’s taste. Their in-house design team is well informed of market trends and developments and ensures thatcustomers are satisfied with contemporary fashion of the highest quality.
Fashion World is committed to the development and progress of the South African clothing industry and is firmly focused on entrenching itself as a provider of exclusive quality clothing to every facet of the ever-growing South African community.
As an established and internationally recognised clothing manufacturer, Fashion World’s mission is to provide designer fashion at a truly competitive price.
Vision Works
Vision Works is best described as a small eye care organisation with a big heart, obsessed with the creation of excellence and the highest standards of eye care. Each individual Vision Works practice is dedicated to creating an eye care experience on a personalised basis in the best interests of each and every patient. The ‘Love Your Eyes’ philosophy embraced by the Vision Works Group is evidenced of the quest, to be the leading brand in eye care excellence, by creating a unique customer experience through exceptional professional service.
The driving force of each Vision Works practice is the visual welfare of patients underpinned by the ‘Love Your Eyes’ philosophy. This translates into an eye care experience and delivery of value designed to exceed expectations.
Miladys
The Management of Miladys has a firm belief that every great success story starts with a woman. The story of Miladys however started with two ladies.
In 1947 Mesdames Bailey and Elison opened a dress shop in Pinetown and so Miladys was born.
“At Miladys, we think women are fabulous. We think you deserve to look your best and feel great while doing it. We walk the line between fashion and comfort. We believe a good day starts with a good outfit. We are passionate about beautiful, well-made dresses (and denims and tops and skirts). We know there’s more than one way to wear an outfit and we love clothes you can wear again and again. We also know that sometimes all you need is a good tee and we’ve got those too. We think clothes should work for your shape, not against it. What we’re really trying to say is, we get women,” says the Management.
Debbie Mouton Jewellers
Debbie Mouton Jewellers in Polo­kwane is a subsidiary of Gold City Jewellers Company of which Debbie Mouton is the sole owner.
The group has five retail outlets (three jewellers and two specialising in a full range of luggage and leather products under the trade name, Lu Bag) of which the longest established is Bosman Jewellers, a respected name in retail jewellery throughout Limpopo.
Mouton was the General Manager of Bosman Jewellers from 1997 and purchased the business from the previous owner in 2002. Her responsibilities as general manager provided her with experience of the trade and to fully understand and satisfy customer requirements. In addition to stocking well-known brands, Debbie Mouton Jewellers offers design and manufacture of custom-made jewellery.
High-end watch brands are stocked, and she remains a leader in the jewellery trade by attending jewellery fairs locally and overseas.
Debbie Bosman Jewellers also stocks long service awards, giftware, do valuations of jewellery and provide repair services. Debbie Mouton Jewellers is a member of Chevron, the largest group of independent retail jewellers in South Africa, and Mouton served as a Director on the Board for over six years. This gives the company access to quality suppliers, and special terms, including better purchase prices. Jewellery manufacturers, importers and agents target Chevron as a convenient way to reach the better independent retailers in South Africa.
She spotted a gap in the market in Limpopo, as there were no existing specialist luggage and leather outlets prior to 2008. She opened Lu Bag at the same time as Debbie Mouton Jewellers, having already established relationships with suppliers. This new venture has also been successful, beating forecast turnover even during difficult trading times.
Ln 2011 Mouton opened two shops in the new Mall of the North, one jewellery outlet and one luggage outlet. Gold City Jewellers Company already boasts 20 staff members.

BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com