Malls stage events to make play for people’s shopping dollars
Chicago Tribune, US
With money tight these days, Julie Liu shops only when she needs a specific item — a dress for a work event or a replacement tube of mascara.”It’s very focused shopping,” Liu said. “I just don’t stroll around the mall looking aimlessly.” But when the 28-year-old jewelry designer found herself at the Shops at North Bridge in May attending a Step Up Women’s Network charity event, the shopping bug made an unexpected appearance …

Shopping Centers Eyeball New Green Technology
GlobeST, US
A combination of old centers and new green technology could result in major savings for shopping center developers, said speakers at ICSC’s RECon meeting, which concluded here yesterday. With many malls now hitting the quarter-century mark, opportunity exists to improve sustainability on a number of levels …

Civil liberties council slams shopping centre curfew
ABC, AU
The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties has slammed a move by a Mackay shopping centre to impose a youth curfew. As part of a three month trial, young people are not allowed to be in the Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre after 7:00pm, unless they are shopping or accompanied by an adult …

Consumer Confidence Wows Wall Street
Commercial Property News, US
Happy days are here again? Or maybe the American consumer isn’t quite that optimistic, but instead is simply glad things don’t seem to be getting a lot worse. In any case, the Conference Board reported on Tuesday that its index of consumer confidence shot up in May to 54.9 from a revised 40.8 in April, marking the largest one-month jump in the index since April 2003 …

BCSC calls for collaboration to unblock property pipeline
Retail Week, UK
Retailers are facing a serious threat from a breakdown in the property pipeline unless the private and public sectors take a more collaborative approach to planning, the British Council of Shopping Centres has told a group of MPs …

General Growth Won’t Sell at Discount, Taubman Says
Bloomberg, US
General Growth Properties Inc., the mall owner that filed the biggest real-estate bankruptcy in U.S. history, may not have to sell any malls at discounted prices, said the head of rival Taubman Centers Inc. …

Simon Properties has lots of cash, flexibility despite weak economy
IndyStar, US
Here’s Simon Property Group’s survival strategy for these taxing times:
Hoard cash, hack away at costs and hunker down with its vast property holdings. The strategy, more akin to that of a life insurer than a mall developer, seems to be paying off …

Each week, we feature tips from industry insiders. Have a tip to share with our readers? Let us know.

This week’s tip comes to us from Patty Tuttle, Owner/Designer at Miles Display and Design Ltd, in Alberta, Canada:

“It’s spring, so show your colors! Next to your regular signage, add taller pots with bright flowers to draw your customers in. Use colorful silks or even fresh flowers in single pots or clusters of three funky planters to add interest throughout your center.”

Contact Patty at 403-606-3152  or by email.  Visit Miles Display and Design online at www.MilesDisplay.ca.

Each week, we bring you a brief profile on one of our fantastic readers. Know someone we should be writing about? Let us know.

Name: Russell Yelland
Title: Director of Shopping Center Management
Property: Sandalwood
Location: Hong Kong

How long have you been at this property?
Sandalwood commenced operations in June 2008 and is the first integrated premium retail development and management service provider to operate across Asia.

How many years of experience do you have in the shopping center industry?
More than 20 years experience in shopping center leasing, marketing and  management in Australia. Prior to joining Sandalwood, I was with Colonial First State Property Management, one of Australia’s largest shopping center owners and managers. More recently my focus was on development issues, including developing tired, aged shopping centers into enhanced viable assets delivering improved results to the owners. My current role specializes in delivering Sandalwood’s shopping centre management initiatives and asset management solutions across Greater China.

What is your primary goal this year?
With Sandalwood being less than a year old, my primary goal is to continue to drive the Sandalwood vision of being the first choice in retail development and management, creating best-in-class retail environments for customers, retailers and investors.

What is your biggest challenge this year?
The biggest challenge is remaining steadfast on delivering our primary goals and maximizing every business opportunity that comes along in a very difficult economic climate.

Can you offer one tip to other mall marketing professionals?
R.R.M., or retailer relationship management. In tough times it’s vital that we remain in close touch with our retailers. We need to provide relevant, quality guidance, understanding and responding to their needs and assisting them to generate sales. This will not only ensure the retailers’ viability, but it will also benefit the mall owner in the longer term.

Thanks Russell!

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”
Peter Drucker
(1909 – 2005)