[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[duke]

Anyone have any guesses what will go in the area where Toys R Us is after the Adelaide store closes?
I think a K-Mart/BigW would go in there nicely if there was some serious refurbishment.

Is the ToysRUs store planning to close?

Yep. A friend said they are not renewing their lease. He said the staff were told last night.
It feels like the mall is going backwards with the amount of empty retail. It will be sad to see TRU go. It will be a major loss.

[AG]

Yep. A friend said they are not renewing their lease. He said the staff were told last night.
It feels like the mall is going backwards with the amount of empty retail. It will be sad to see TRU go. It will be a major loss.

I got this impression walking through the mall yesterday as well - there is a LOT of empty shops along the mall now. Borders, Dusk, Sanity, Harris Scarfe, Colorado and Book Boys to name just a few. Don't think the high Australian dollar or higher level of household savings than normal are helping.

[Nathan]

I got this impression walking through the mall yesterday as well - there is a LOT of empty shops along the mall now. Borders, Dusk, Sanity, Harris Scarfe, Colorado and Book Boys to name just a few. Don't think the high Australian dollar or higher level of household savings than normal are helping.

But it's hardly indicative of any problems in the mall. Borders, Colorado and JAG have left because of major issues with their entire businesses - with stores closing Australia wide. Harris Scarfe, Dusk & Sanity closed for the redevelopment, and Book Boys have moved to James Place. Sure it's not great to have so many shops close around the same time, but it's just an unfortunate coincidence. I'd have thought the Harris Scarfe development shows that there's actually increasing interest in the Mall area, not the opposite.

[AG]

I got this impression walking through the mall yesterday as well - there is a LOT of empty shops along the mall now. Borders, Dusk, Sanity, Harris Scarfe, Colorado and Book Boys to name just a few. Don't think the high Australian dollar or higher level of household savings than normal are helping.

But it's hardly indicative of any problems in the mall. Borders, Colorado and JAG have left because of major issues with their entire businesses - with stores closing Australia wide. Harris Scarfe, Dusk & Sanity closed for the redevelopment, and Book Boys have moved to James Place. Sure it's not great to have so many shops close around the same time, but it's just an unfortunate coincidence. I'd have thought the Harris Scarfe development shows that there's actually increasing interest in the Mall area, not the opposite.

No it isn't, you're absolutely right. But certainly issues in the entire retail industry are going to have a significant impact on the mall. It will be interesting to see how things pan out in the retail industry between now and when the new Rundle Place development opens for business. 80 specialty shops added to the mall is no small addition.

[duke]

but it's just an unfortunate coincidence. I'd have thought the Harris Scarfe development shows that there's actually increasing interest in the Mall area, not the opposite.

Harris Scarfe is one store. Its going to reuse the space better and offer office space above. I really don't think the redevelopment is based too much around attracting more people to Harris Scarfe itself as a store.

If there was a need for retail space then the Myer center would be full. I can't imagine the Myer center ever going back to the old days.

Then with TRU going from the mall, that will be even more retail space with no tenants.
No other TRU store is affected. Only the city one. The city one makes no money.
People use the city store as a last resort, when the other stores have sold out, or as a place to pick up something quick and small during their lunch break.

It seems like the mall gets a lot of foot traffic, but no one is actually spending any money, unless its on food.

I personally go to the mall a few times a week. I usually go there to look at something. Like yesterday I went to JB to look at their TV's. But I am going to buy it from a suburban store close to my house. I can't get a TV home on the bus, and why would I drive all the way to the city when there are closer stores.
Also, how would I go about getting the TV from the city store to my car.

These are the things the mall needs to deal with better if they want to survive.

The mall needs to offer shopping trolleys with trolley returns in the high rise parks.
The mall needs to offer a delivery service for all the stores.
The mall needs to distinguish itself from suburban shopping centers.

[skyliner]

As a matter of interest - just how busy is the mall during shopping hours. Would it compare with the Queen St mall in Bris.? When I lived there it was pretty crowded - but had Cox Foys and John Martins inthe mix as well some big store on the SE corner of Rundle/Pulteney - no on line shopping. I get to see various pics posted by some of the guys on the forum and I wonder what is going on.

I agree with Duke in saying the mall needs to distinguish itself from the suburban centres - one way being to attract as many as possible to live in the CBD, another being to capitalise on the linear nature of the place - there seems to be some return to this type of retail centre being 'in vogue'.

It will be interesting to see the e4ffects of all the Nth Tce and Oval dev't will have.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

[Waewick]

I haven't shopped at a surburban mall for close to 5 years - why would I when the mall has everything they have + the benefit of being so close to Rundle Street, copius amount of parking, pubs when your waiting for the missus to finish and all the departments stores are adjacent to car parks so if you know what you want you park there not need to park 1km from the store you want to visit.

the Mall to me is the best shopping precinct in the state.

[duke]

I haven't shopped at a surburban mall for close to 5 years - why would I when the mall has everything they have + the benefit of being so close to Rundle Street, copius amount of parking, pubs when your waiting for the missus to finish and all the departments stores are adjacent to car parks so if you know what you want you park there not need to park 1km from the store you want to visit.

the Mall to me is the best shopping precinct in the state.

The mall is just missing Coles, BigW, K-Mart, hardware stores.
I know there is a Target, but its pitiful compared to a suburban one.

The mall is also open to the elements. Too hot in summer, wet and cold in winter.
Stores don't offer shopping trolly's, or if they do they are not allowed to leave the store.
I find it amazing how someone could say they can do all their shopping at the mall.

[SRW]

I've done all my shopping in the Mall/city for close to three years, with the brief exception of when Woolies was being renovated. Given I work in the city, and live just outside, it's a more efficient use of my time. Trollies are really un-necessary if you shop wisely.

[Nathan]

I'm quite puzzled at the trolly "need". How often do you buy big screen tvs? I'm sure they can organise delivery if you ask, and all the stores selling such large items would have a loading dock you can pick items up from and load directly in to your car.

But given the desire to be in an environmentally protected, climate controlled cocoon for as many hours per day as possible, I don't think anything would persuade you to consider a Mall or high street as a good option.

[duke]

I'm quite puzzled at the trolly "need". How often do you buy big screen tvs? I'm sure they can organise delivery if you ask, and all the stores selling such large items would have a loading dock you can pick items up from and load directly in to your car.

I use a trolley every time I do my grocery shopping. Once a week, every Sunday morning at Tea Tree Plaza.
People at TRU often buy lots of stuff, they have it in their trolley, then they get to the checkout and have to unload it all.
They then have to go drive around to the loading dock, wait for someone to open the door and pick it up. If you are buying things from multiple shops, you would need to do multiple stops at each loading dock.
People complain all the time about not being allowed to take the trolleys outside the building.

As for organizing deliveries. Yes you can, but it means paying for it. Why should I pay $30 for someone to deliver a TV when I could drive to a store close to my house and pick it up myself.

But given the desire to be in an environmentally protected, climate controlled cocoon for as many hours per day as possible, I don't think anything would persuade you to consider a Mall or high street as a good option.

I don't have the need. I like the open air mall. But its easy to see the drop off in the number of people on hot days, and on wet days.
The staff look forward to rainy days as it means that it will be a slow day where they can focus on re-arranging the stock.

[Vee]

I haven't shopped at a surburban mall for close to 5 years - why would I when the mall has everything they have + the benefit of being so close to Rundle Street, copius amount of parking, pubs when your waiting for the missus to finish and all the departments stores are adjacent to car parks so if you know what you want you park there not need to park 1km from the store you want to visit.

the Mall to me is the best shopping precinct in the state.

I also much prefer to shop at the Mall rather than the huge shopping malls in the suburbs, which I find quite sterile. There's a great range of shops in the Mall and it's only a hop away from other attractions eg Rundle St east café strip, Gouger St/Central Market etc.

I also love the cosmopolitan nature of the Norwood Parade with its linear (mainstreet) shopping/café precinct. The additional social elements (hospitality) are important in adding to the shopping experience. It will be interesting to see what the expanded Burnside shopping centre offers, with its range of unique shops and additional café/restaurant options but is likely to appeal more to the fashionistas.

The Mall needs higher residential densities in the city, as do other precincts, to add to the vibe and increase profitability, particularly when most of the daytime population leaves for the 'burbs.

[Will]

I haven't shopped at a surburban mall for close to 5 years - why would I when the mall has everything they have + the benefit of being so close to Rundle Street, copius amount of parking, pubs when your waiting for the missus to finish and all the departments stores are adjacent to car parks so if you know what you want you park there not need to park 1km from the store you want to visit.

the Mall to me is the best shopping precinct in the state.

The mall is just missing Coles, BigW, K-Mart, hardware stores.
I know there is a Target, but its pitiful compared to a suburban one.

The mall is also open to the elements. Too hot in summer, wet and cold in winter.
Stores don't offer shopping trolly's, or if they do they are not allowed to leave the store.
I find it amazing how someone could say they can do all their shopping at the mall.

You have just contradicted yourself.

A few posts above you said that the mall needs to differentiate itself from suburban shopping centres if 'it is to survive', but then you say the mall needs to have a larger Target, a K-Mart and a hardware store. Furthermore you want the mall to be protected from the elements and offer shopping trolleys....

How exactly is making it more like a suburban shopping centre actually going to help differentiate it from suburban shopping centres?

[duke]

You have just contradicted yourself.

A few posts above you said that the mall needs to differentiate itself from suburban shopping centres if 'it is to survive', but then you say the mall needs to have a larger Target, a K-Mart and a hardware store. Furthermore you want the mall to be protected from the elements and offer shopping trolleys....

How exactly is making it more like a suburban shopping centre actually going to help differentiate it from suburban shopping centres?

If you read what I am saying, you will see that I am saying it needs more shops. It needs to have everything anyone could want in one place.
Why does having stores like k-mart make it exactly like a suburban shopping center?

It needs to have the high end fashion that the suburban malls wont ever get.
It needs all the shops, but it still needs to differentiate itself from the suburban malls.
It can do this if it focuses on the atmosphere and enhancing peoples shopping experience.
It needs entertainment areas also, like movies, bowling, arcades. It needs to attract people.

In terms of protecting from the elements, this could be simple sails that are installed during the winter period to protect people from getting wet.
It still needs to stay as an outdoor environment, but it needs something that doesn't make everyone stay home when there is rain.

Also in terms of trolleys. In suburban centers the stores offer the trolleys.
I am suggesting that the Mall itself offers the trolleys. The trolley bays should be in the mall, for use in all shops.
Ones that you stick a coin in to use.
You can then return them to trolley bays in city council carparks.

[duke]

Updated info.

I can confirm Toys R Us Rundle Mall will be closing in January 2012.
K-Mart has been confirmed as the tenant to take over the Toys R Us Rundle Mall space.