New premium Checkers store opening in iconic luxury shopping mall in South Africa
Checkers is launching a massive new premium store at the upmarket La Lucia Mall in KZN later this month, with the retailer promising a world-class shopping experience.
Spanning over 3,000 sqm, the new store will showcase the Checkers FreshX concept.
The Shoprite Group, the owner of Checkers, said that the new store will feature a modern, easy-to-navigate design, complemented by the enhanced range of products and services.
“We’re excited to bring Checkers’ premium offering to La Lucia Mall,” said Willem Hunlun, Chief Operating Officer at Checkers
“From our fresh and innovative product range to everyday supermarket prices, our goal is to give customers the kind of experience that keeps them coming back.”
Customers can expect the following from the store:
- A Meat Market with free-range chicken and restaurant-quality steak;
- A bakery offering artisan breads and cakes;
- A dedicated Health and Wellness section;
- A wine cellar:
- A sushi bar;
- Fresh fruit and vegetables;
- A Hot and cold foods deli; and
- A Money Market counter.
Shoprite said that the opening strengthens Checkers’ footprint in KZN, providing customers with greater access to quality, affordability, and excellence.
Checkers is experiencing massive growth with FreshX, noting that the retailer is competing with Woolworths Food, which also has a presence in the mall.
A new FreshX was also recently launched in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, as South Africa’s largest retailer continues its massive store expansion.
Massive upgrades at the mall
The new Checkers stores come amid significant changes for La Lucia Mall, which recently underwent a massive renovation by Growthpoint.
The mall opened its doors in 1974 and has since undergone several expansion projects. It is synonymous with luxury shopping.
Over the last four decades, the mall has become a beloved landmark in the Durban area.
It has over 130 stores and has become a space for shopping, dining, and entertainment, with a mix of local and international retailers, ranging from fashion to electronics.
However, before 2021, the mall had not seen any updates for 15 years. Growthpoint announced a massive upgrade of the mall and the surrounding area.
Instead of expanding the 45,000 sqm mall, Growthpoint utilised the additional 14,000 sqm of development potential to add apartments and office space to the development, investing R140 million.
At the mall itself, Growthpint hired to M3 Africa Consulting to redevelop several parts of the mall, including:
- Renovations were made to all external facades and lighting to all parking areas.
- Replacement of all internal public area ceilings, bulkheads, lighting, and floor finishes.
- Major remodelling and renovation of all public ablutions throughout the centre
- New signage, shopfronts, and furniture in public zones.
La Lucia is a wealthy suburb located within uMhlanga, which is making a serious comeback following the July 2021 unrest and the 2022 floods.
Samuel Seeff, chairman of the Seeff Property Group, said that these events disrupted business activity and slowed the recovery of the local housing market.
Coastal areas, including Umhlanga and Ballito, have begun to rebound in terms of price growth, driven by heightened investment in infrastructure and improved governance.
La Lucia Mall pictures
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