27 June 2008
Local retail chain Woolworths is venturing into the Johannesburg central business district (CBD) with the opening of a micro food store, the success of which could lead to similar stores being opened in central business districts of other major South African cities.
The 500 square-meter Woolworths Micro Foods store in 28 Harrison Street in the inner city was targeted towards convenience food shopping for the day-time office market, with all the quality associated with a leading South African retail brand.
“In addition to lunches and a good range of prepared meals, the store will provide all the basics from bread and milk to fresh produce and general groceries.” said Woolworths’ senior real estate manager Rendani Rathando in a statement by Amdec Property Development this week.
“There is move to return to the CBD and a substantial number of companies are investing a lot of money in offices in the area. Many of these office workers are relatively well-to-do and particularly aspirant.”
The location Woolworths has selected is in one of the most vibrant quarters of the Johannesburg CBD – right in the heart of the city’s financial district.
Rathando said the store would assess trends as it traded, constantly refining both its product lines and its hours to meet the market needs.
“Trading hours are difficult to assess prior to opening. Typically we would consider trading hours for a day-time office market to be until about 6pm on weekdays and until lunch-time on Saturday,” he said.
“However the CBD is certainly experiencing resurgence . so we will assess the ebb and flow of demand dynamics on an ongoing basis.”
Premier business location
Amdec Property Development is equally positive about developments in that particular part of the Johannesburg CBD, and has been active in enhancing the area over the past two years.
“Amdec is firmly establishing 28 Harrison Street as the city’s premier business location and is resolutely committed to the Johannesburg CBD,” said Amdec investment manager Nicholas Reyneke.
28 Harrison Street is ideally situated one block south of the declared “government precinct”, which is located largely within a two block vicinity of the Gauteng Legislature building.
As arguably the youngest “A” grade building in the Johannesburg CBD having been completed in the mid-1990s, its aesthetics and finishes, including exquisite marble, are of the highest quality found in the CBD.
Wonderfully vibrant node
One year after taking ownership of 28 Harrison Street in October 2006, Amdec had transformed office vacancies of 12 500m2 of the 19 500m2 building to full occupancy by August 2007 and upgraded the address to the highest standards.
“Woolworths will be the final, special ingredient, in this wonderful regeneration,” said Reyneke.
Woolworths’ fellow tenants in 28 Harrison Street include call-centre company The Dialogue Group, the Council for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration, the South African Social Security Agency, Capitec Bank, the Ombudsman for Banking and Tshikululu Social Investments.
“This is a wonderfully vibrant node within the city with top-notch companies which attract high-level, aspirant staff which are highly prized by retailers,” said Reyneke. “The new Woolworths Micro Foods at 28 Harrison Street will allow these consumers convenient shopping during the day, instead of having to race home in the hopes of getting to suburban shops before closing time.”
SAinfo reporter
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