Cold Link Africa July/August 2018 | Page 25

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN Delegates enjoying one of the tea breaks, from left: Natasha Dukes (Emira Property Fund); Wilna Savio (Broll Property Group); Sandra Kruger (Emira Property Fund); and Willem Strydom (Remote Metering Solutions). one of the many areas that need to be needs, activities, and feelings throughout focused upon. Businesses need to shift their relationship with a company; in the away from traditional, product-focused context of property management, there Lebogang Mokubela, CEO of the Lemok Group, spoke on the evolution of retail in the digital age. Kundayi Munzara, director of Sesfikile Capital, spoke on the panel for discussing the South African economy and consumer outlook. advertising models and focus on delivering are many types of customers and many advertising and promotional messages customer journeys. The process of customer more aware of their buying decisions shopping centres. We are sure that each that are customer-focused and tailored to journey mapping enables you to prioritise and therefore the power now lies with delegate who attended the eighth SACSC specific individuals. Partnering with the right the most important parts of the customer them. “In the beginning, it was about Annual Research Conference walked brands offers customers a sense of added journey for each kind of customer so that promotions and tenant mixes, but these away with important industry insights and value by providing tangible incentives such you can focus on improving what matters days, despite the promotions, consumers information,” she said. as fuel discounts,” he said. most and what will have the greatest do not buy. Obviously, this is because of business impact,” she said. other influences such as lower disposable was sponsored by Cushman & Wakefield Catherine Stevenson, senior consultant Lemok Group founder Lebogang The 2018 SACSC research conference income, but the main point is that in Excellerate. Nomzamo Radebe, CEO of Wakefield Excellerate, shared her thoughts Mokubela also addressed delegates at the order to appeal to the township market, JHI Properties, a division of Cushman & on how retail real estate is affected by conference. Mokubela touched on the shopping centres need to be aware Wakefield Excellerate, said the conference the customer journey map. “Pretending future of retail in the country. According of the less-obvious needs and cater for was yet again an insightful and inspiring that the retail sector isn’t undergoing to Mokubela, the popular narrative is those. Bringing a cash and carry into your industry event. “It is always inspiring to major disruption won’t help anyone. that e-commerce is causing the biggest mall isn’t the answer. The point is to build learn from industry leaders and experts, New experiences, formats, and trends, disruption with regard to the retail market. initiatives and spaces that give consumers especially when it involves such a fast- underpinned by advances in technology, “This may be true in terms of the global a real reason to come to your mall,” paced and ever-changing industry such are creating new ways for customers to market; however, from a township market, Mokubela concluded. as retail. We are very proud to be sponsors interact with retail. The occupiers and the biggest disruption isn’t e-commerce landlords with an informed view — and but the shift in power. A majority of the said the SACSC research conference information from experts within our own willingness to adapt — will be the ones township audience is relatively reluctant had become the industry event that network too. Once again, the conference who find opportunities in our changing to online transactions due to issues around gave attendees an invaluable insight delivered much food for thought, with retail environment,” she said. Stevenson security but most importantly, this market into the year’s perspective on retail an excellent line-up of speakers and added that customer journey maps allows is big on instant gratification — they want and shopping centres. “We started participants. I am excited to be taking you to understand the experience your to buy something and get it now, which the research conference in 2011 with this knowledge and sharing it within customers are actually having, which is e-commerce does not provide as an the main objective of enhancing and the Cushman & Wakefield Excellerate often very different to the one you think option,” he said. satisfying the need for more information environment,” said Radebe. of Cross Border Retail for Cushman & they are having. “Using the mapping process, you can chart your customer’s He further added that the township consumer is more educated and Gavin Tagg (Retail Network Services) on left and Riaan van Wyk (Woolworths). CEO for the SACSC, Amanda Stops, on trends, technology, and customer information with regard to retail and Old Mutual Property Group was also represented by Tracey Palmer (left) and Sarah Tshirunga. COLD LINK AFRICA • July/August 2018 of this event and to share insights and The event concluded with a cocktail and networking event. CLA Justice Malala, political commentator and facilitator, joined Munzara for the panel discussion on the local economy and consumer outlook. www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 25