South African retail firsts added to the Melrose Arch mix

September heralded the opening of several South African retail firsts at Melrose Arch. Asian beauty brand Harnn, specialised gifting marque The Vault by Daytona, and the glam Juicy Couture all launched stores.

Bang & Olufsen and the BMW i showroom also launched this month, while Shesha and Concept Cyclery unveiled magnificent new concept stores, and Piza e Vino has reinvented its restaurant and, next door, opened The Bar, specialising in craft beer.

These names are added to the array of retailers that have recently opened at Melrose Arch, including three brands from luxury fashion gurus Surtee Group - True Religion, 7 For All Man Kind, and the stylish Grays, which includes men's, kids' and home brands such as Boss & Boss Green, Hackett, Aigner, Canalli, Caruso, Facionnable, Little Mark Jacobs, FAM, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Kenzo and Olivies Desforges. Premium V.N.T.G has introduced new Italian fashion at Melrose Arch, with brands hand-picked by owner Shawn Janet, who is famed for bringing True Religion to South African shores, including Imperial Denim, Happiness, Osvaldo Trucchi, D'Acquasparta and J Brand jeans for men.

Enhanced service and convenience offering

A number of superlative new retailers will also make their debut later this year and in early 2016. In addition, Melrose Arch will enhance its service and convenience offering for neighbourhood residents.

Mike Vermaak

Melrose Arch's GM, Mike Vermaak, said that the mixed-use precinct's retail synthesis is being realigned to suit shoppers' needs better. "Melrose Arch is unique, so it makes sense that our retail tenant mix should reflect this with an offering of fashion and fashionable brands that is remarkably different from anywhere else," he explained. "People come from near and far to visit Melrose Arch as a destination they are passionate about, and we are giving them even more to delight in."

He added: "Shoppers in our primary market have a great demographic. They enjoy a high household income, are young at heart, professional, energetic, health conscious, slightly alternative, techno-savvy and have a young family. With that in mind, we're charging up our retail mix to be more in synch with our customers and boosting our offering of unique and aspirational brands from leading local and international retailers."