20th Congress of Shopping Centres leads with the sponsorship of Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking

Supporting growth and positive change within South Africa’s retail sector, Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking is once again proud sponsor of the Congress of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre next week, from 7 to 9 September 2016.

The leading financier of commercial, industrial, retail and residential development property in the country, Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking has committed in excess of R10 billion to the funding of major retail developments over the past three years.

“As the principal sponsor of the 20th SACSC Congress, and leaders in their own industry, we deeply value the significant contribution from Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking in making the retail property sector what it is today,” says Amanda Stops, SACSC CEO. “We are proud to be associated with Nedbank. Its continued support has enabled the SACSC to provide congress delegates with the thought provoking, inspiring and innovative programme they have come to expect from this highly anticipated annual event.”

Responding to both opportunities and challenges faced by local retailers, this year’s shopping centre congress is expected to address the rapid changes affecting the local industry, with particular focus on leadership.

Providing delegates with numerous networking opportunities, a tour of the new Mall of Africa and access to a line-up of presentations designed to inspire, the SACSC’s annual flagship event in Sandton Central will also be host to the highly anticipated industry awards event as well as a must-see exhibition.

With lending into the retail property sector a substantial component of their business, Managing Executive of Property Finance at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, Robin Lockhart-Ross, believes that providing the retail sector with financial support is both an opportunity and a duty when it comes to promoting a healthy economy.

“Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking is proud once again to be the sole sponsor of the SACSC’s annual Congress. We see the financing of a retail centre as both an opportunity we embrace, and a responsibility we share to facilitate and promote the resultant benefits that flow from the development of these new centres.  Retail contributes not only to the upliftment of the built environment, but also local communities and regional economies,” he says.

According to Lockhart-Ross, the retail industry is likely more affected by accelerating technological advancements, changing consumer behaviours and shifting societal priorities than many other sectors of our economy.

For that reason, he says that retail property owners, developers, managers and financiers alike need to frame and implement a clear vision in future,  enabling them to respond to these shifts, stay abreast of opportunities and maintain relevance in meeting both consumer and societal needs and pressures.

“Our partnership with the SACSC in sponsoring the annual Shopping Centre Congress is invaluable to us as the leading property financier. It enables us to gain face-to-face access to the top players in the retail industry, get an in depth understanding of the underlying fundamentals of the retail sector and obtain an up-to-date sense of the current dynamics and future prognosis for the sector.”