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Jun 25, 2008:
Woolworths will be venturing into the Johannesburg CBD with a 500sq m Woolworths 'Micro' Foods store at the 28 Harrison Street building.
This is set to be the first store of its kind in a central business district and its success could herald the roll-out of a number of similar stores which the group is currently considering in major CBDs across South Africa.
The store is targeted at convenience food shopping for the day-time office market.
"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," says Rendani Rathando, senior real estate manager for Woolworths.
"There is a move to return to the CBD and a substantial number of companies are investing in offices in the area. Many of these office workers are aspirant Woolworths customers," notes Rathando.
The location Woolworths has selected is in one of the most vibrant quarters of the Johannesburg CBD - in the heart of the city's financial district.
28 Harrison Street is situated one block south of the "Government precinct", and about two blocks from the Gauteng Legislature building.
Woolworths' fellow tenants in 28 Harrison Street include call centre company, The Dialogue Group, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Capitec Bank, the Ombudsman for Banking and Tshikululu Social Investments.
Rathando notes that the store will assess trends as it trades, 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 18:00 on weekdays and lunch-time on Saturday. The CBD is, however, certainly experiencing a resurgence of residential developments, so we will assess the ebb and flow of demand dynamics on an ongoing basis," explains Rathando.
For more information contact Nicholas Reyneke on 021 702 3200.
