Bookmark & Share
Orchard Gateway mall has been open for only a year, yet five shops have already closed due to poor footfall, media reports said.
Featuring two diagonally facing buildings on either side of Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway is connected by an underpass and a glass link bridge.
The bigger 21-storey building has six retail floors, a library and a hotel. It is situated in a prime spot in Somerset between 313@Somerset and Orchard Central.
However, it is the mall’s location that may be causing it problems.
Retailers noted that the mall’s layout, poor marketing and insufficient signage have led shoppers to believe that it is part of Orchard Central.
“I can’t differentiate whether I’m at Orchard Gateway or Orchard Central, and I honestly don’t know which shops are specific to Gateway or if they are worth going to,” said 28-year old public relations and communications officer Jon Lim.
In fact, some businesses at the mall report no sales on weekdays.
“There are days when I don’t sell anything at all,” said Joanna Johnston, owner of clothing store Anna Rainn.
As such, Savills Singapore, the property manager and leasing adviser of the mall, said it is considering mutual pre-termination agreements with some tenants as part of an ongoing “tenant-mix review”.
To boost shopper traffic, it also plans to work with the 115 tenants in conducting performances and exhibitions at the mall as well as joint promotional activities with Orchard Central and 313@Somerset.
R’ST Research director Ong Kah Seng said setting up a “geek corner”, or tech shops, and offering discounts to hotel guests can also help the mall.
“It will give the mall more vibrant, creative, energising vibes,” he said.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Singapore Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
Related Articles:
Retailers moving to suburban malls