How do we do this? By understanding consumers better than they understand themselves. By strategising shopping centres which are tailormade for specific consumer markets. By selecting retailers ‘made to measure’ for these consumer markets. And finally, by adding a twist of magic which drives return visits, longer dwell-times, and loyalty. Our centres work on every level, enabling retailers to thrive, and ensuring the longevity of a landlord’s business through low vacancies, steadily increasing turnovers and good trading densities. 

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Being relevant and staying relevant

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Developing a new centre - or extending an existing one – is a responsibility which lies heavily on everyone concerned: the developer, shareholders, banks, the retail strategist, the leasing team, the architect, the professional team, the retailers, and many more. The final result must stand the test of time.

As a retail strategist and leasing specialist we understand this. Having worked on more than 70 shopping centre developments, we know how crucial it is to launch a centre which is relevant to its market from Day One. It’s a huge ‘ask’ but one which we are skilled at laying the foundation for. We also acknowledge the need to future-proof centres for sustained success but are agile enough to respond with a strong action plan if shopping trends change, or external factors result in shifts in shopper behaviour. 

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Taking the risk out of the risky

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Our vast experience and depth of expertise ensure that we take the risk out of  new shopping centre developments or, at the very least, lessen their risk. We always start by commissioning highly specialised research and dig deep into market demographics. Understanding a new centre’s catchment area market and its future customers are vital stepping stones to success. Only once we fully comprehend the market do we devise the tenant mix, the centre layout, the special amenities, the leisure areas, the parking, and the captivating architectural design which will hold all these elements harmoniously together. 

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Step forward Town Square at Newmarket

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In May 2024 a new centre opened in Alberton in Gauteng. Town Square at Newmarket. It’s a project which lies close to our hearts. Developer Rejem-Linton (Nedbank), in conjunction with Jonker Evolution, entrusted us with the retail strategy for a new centre they planned to develop in the busy and rapidly expanding Newmarket precinct. The centre would bring more retail ‘flavour’ to Alberton. Our research provided us with valuable insights into the size of centre which would complement existing retail in the area. It also guided our understanding of what we needed to bring to Alberton – a strong convenience element, value fashion outlet stores and popular homeware options.

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Going BIG

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We decided to go BIG. Big brands. Big shopfronts. Big signage. Big store interiors. We curated an exceptional tenant mix. An exciting tenant mix. And we pushed the design boundaries until the white flags went up and we got the giant signage we wanted on every storefront. There was tremendous buy-in from fashion and homeware brands, all of whom know and trust any centre development we work on. Town Square at Newmarket’s BIG box value fashion and BIG box homeware stores now draw shoppers from even further afield than Alberton. We even have a BIG Paul French Bakery and Patisserie, and a restaurant hub whose glittering lights warm the Gauteng nights.

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Unlocking further development

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From the outset of this project, we followed our tried-and-trusted strategic formula, analysing the research and wrestling with the outcomes until we knew where to take this new centre. Guided by experience, expertise and instinct, we took it big, bold and beautiful. From Day One the centre has staked its claim in the Alberton market. 

Excitingly, it is acting as the catalyst for further development in the Newmarket precinct. A 14,000m² Leroy Merlin has broken ground within walking distance of Town Square at Newmarket, and plans are currently on the table for further unique retail and leisure concepts in close proximity to the shopping centre. 

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You ask the questions. We have the answers.

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When you embark on a retail development, the sensation of being buffeted by high winds comes to mind. The winds of uncertainty. Is the location a good one?  Will tenants want to lease space? How ready will banks be to provide finance? Is the market big enough to sustain a centre?  The questions go on and on. At RNS we provide the answers to all these questions, and many more.

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Lenz Quarter, an 11,000m² lifestyle centre in Lenasia, is our next project to open its doors – in October this year. In 2026 we’ll be opening 160,000m² of new retail, with a further +400,000m² in the pipeline. These centres include Rondebult Shopping Centre 25km south-east of Johannesburg, iTonka Square near KwaThema and Leratong City Mall in Mogale City, amongst others. All are being developed in areas of South Africa where communities are lacking the convenient retail and pleasant leisure experience which thoughtfully designed and well-tenanted shopping centres provide.

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We look forward to bringing vibrant, welcoming, convenient shopping and leisure destinations to many more communities in South Africa, and in so doing boosting employment opportunities and local economies. 

* Jon Cherry