After two years of construction, the $1.3 billion NEX shopping
mall in Serangoon, is slated to open by the end of this month.
One unique feature of NEX is the pitting of retailers against
each other: Cold Storage versus FairPrice, Food Republic versus
Food Junction.
While it may seem unusual for rival brands to co-exist under one
roof, mall manager Guthrie Consultancy Services is confident that
its retail space is ‘big enough to accommodate establishments in
the same retail category’.
Nex is similar to sprawling suburban malls in the United States,
Britain and Australia, where more than one anchor tenant and
supermarket sit comfortably under one roof.
The seven-storey mall, located next to Serangoon interchange
station, has over 600,000 sq ft of retail space. It is about the
size of Ion Orchard and is the largest suburban mall in the
north-east.
A spokesman for Nex said rival brands – such as Cold Storage and
FairPrice – will appeal to different types of shoppers.
The Cold Storage supermarket will feature several exclusive
imported products, while the 24-hour hypermarket FairPrice
Xtra will offer products from food to home
electronics and casual wear.
The mall will also have two foodcourts, Food Junction and Food
Republic, ‘to offer more food varieties and choices for family
shoppers’, its spokesman said.
Food Junction will run a 17,000sqft foodcourt that can seat
about 500 people, while Food Republic’s 6,500sqft food atrium will
seat about 250 people.
At present, the mall is almost fully occupied. Its anchor
tenants are Japanese chain store Isetan, cinema chain Shaw,
FairPrice Xtra and the Serangoon Public Library.
Other key tenants include bookstore Popular, Japanese food
street Shokutsu 10, Courts, Crystal Jade Kitchen, Party World KTV
and children’s boutique Kiddy Palace.
It hopes to draw about two million customers each month. To do
so, it is introducing a number of new concepts.
Department store Isetan,
which is opening its first outlet in 14 years, will have a section
dedicated to handbags and fashion labels from
Japan.
Its spokesman said the merchandise mix at its new three-storey
outlet will be better than those offered by malls in the vicinity.
For one thing, it will have more than 14 cosmetic brands not available in those
malls, he said.
Guardian pharmacy will have its first private patient care
counselling room for its clinical pharmacist to help patients
better understand their medication and draw out treatment plans for
those with long-term disease or weight issues.
Food-wise, there will also be new offerings: Japan’s popular
burger chain Freshness Burger
and famous pasta restaurant Kabe no Ana will open
their debut outlets.
There is a retail and food
zone that operates on extended hours till about
2am.
Dog owners can also make use of the 2,000sqft dog run located on
the roof garden. The run is the first in a mall here, and is meant
for dogs to exercise and play in an off-leash environment under the
supervision of their owners.
The run can be accessed via designated lifts and escalators.
Dogs, however, are not allowed in other areas of the mall.
To cater to families, there will also be a children’s playground
with dry and wet interactive play equipment, and 11 nursing rooms
for mothers – more than any other mall.
http://lushhomemedia.com/2010/11/17/serangoons-nex-shopping-mall-to-open-by-the-end-of-this-month/
