Neighbouring stores of former major Mid Valley Shopping Centre retailer Target are uncertain how the closure of the department store on Saturday will impact sales in the long term.
Mid Valley centre management confirmed the closure in March, which resulted in the loss of about 40 jobs, and was closely followed by the announcement supermarket giant Coles would also close, with a final closure date yet to be announced.
Mid Valley centre management appointed retail leasing and development management advisers Retpro to assist with the revitalisation of the centre, however, Target and Coles both have large sites on Mid Valley’s south side and together occupy about one-third of the centre’s space.
Hoskings Jewellers manager Kay Rowlings said sales hadn’t yet been affected by Targets’ closure, however, foot traffic in the shopping centre was very quiet on some days.
“At the end of the week we are hitting targets, but who knows?” she said.
“We have got to hang in there and do the best we can and hopefully we will see something new and fresh.
“[Target] might as well have been closed these past few weeks as they are not attracting anyone at the moment and you don’t see a lot of people wandering in there.”
A retail manager, who wished to remain anonymous, said there had been not been much communication from centre management about what was being done to revitalise the shopping centre.
The manager said the loss of the retail and supermarket giant would “be big things that affect us. We are doing well for now but who knows how long that will last?”.
Another store reported a downturn in sales following Target’s reduction of stock prior to its closure.
Mid Valley centre manager Sjaala Harbridge said the centre was in “advanced discussions” with several key retailers.
“Our overall sales have been steady with April sales up 1 per cent overall,” she said.
“While we are disappointed to lose any retailer and especially a long-term one … the change provides us with the opportunity to change our mix of stores and retail offer in a way that is more contemporary and relevant for today’s shoppers.
“Overall we are in a positive position with the level of investment and activity happening in the region at the moment.”
