'Mall of Africa': S. Africa's largest shopping center partially opens

A new mall has opened in South Africa.

Dubbed the “Mall of Africa,” the shopping centre opened its doors to the public in South Africa as thousands of shoppers queued on Thursday for the one stop retail destination.

The new 131,000 square metres of retail space will house 300 shops including global brand names. It is the first-phase of the largest mall yet to be completed in the country to date.

A momentous sunrise over the new Johannesburg skyline! Welcome, Mzansi! We are open! #MyMallOfAfrica pic.twitter.com/kJ1lfb4HEI

— Mall of Africa (@TheMallOfAfrica) April 28, 2016

According to reports, the shopping centre is aimed at attracting the rising number of consumers and demand for commodities.

“We see a lot of potential in South Africa and in Africa. Today we have opened another flagship store here at Mall of Africa, this is our third flagship store that we have opened in a matter of six or seven months. And yes I think South Africans have a lot of good appetite for great fashion at a good price,” said the Public Relations Country Manager, H&M South Africa, Amelia-May Woudstra.

The opening of the mall comes at a time when the country’s economy is reeling nevertheless, retails lines such as Cotton On, Zara, Starbucks, H&M are seeking to expand their businesses in South Africa.

Mall of Africa opens in South Africa as economic outlook sours https://t.co/WQawx4b3pM pic.twitter.com/faz74OUDX2

— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) April 28, 2016

Johan Van Wyk, Country Manager, Cotton On group South Africa said, “It is obvious times are tough for retailers in South Africa but I think times are tough for the consumers as well as the retailers themselves, but you know for us as the brand we really focus on what we do and what we can do better in terms of the customer, total customer experience and (you know) creating value.”

Reuters