The space in the shopping mall sub-sector of the property industry has continued to experience a boom, notwithstanding the lull in the built environment. Last weekend, there was another addition to the sub-sector with the inauguration of a shopping mall, Hubmart Stores, Ikeja, Lagos. This brings to two the number of Hubmart stores in the state – one is on Victoria Island.
The new outlet, located in the heart of the Ikeja G.R.A., has been described by shoppers and architects as a “masterpiece of retail-purposed civil engineering, exquisitely designed to give customers the ultimate shopping experience and set to take shopping to a whole new level.”
The new outlet, built on 4,500 square metres of land, boasts of ultramodern facilities designed to create exquisite shopping experience for customers. Here, shoppers are able to choose from an exquisite range of products ranging from household items to dairy, confectionaries, toiletries, groceries and a host of others. For instance, on the first floor is the Hubmart food court which boast of a Deli and several other exciting offers. This is for those seeking for a quick bite and a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy their meals. There is also considerable parking space in the compound to ensure ease of entry and exit of vehicular movement.
Hubmart Stores Managing Director, Mr. Murat Bektaslar, explained that the Ikeja Hubmart store, has been immaculately designed, with every detail carefully implemented with delightful and exciting customer shopping experiences in mind. For him, the store is a one-stop shop for all grocery, cleaning, fresh and household needs.
Bektaslar explained that while the mall may not be bigger than those of its competitors, it is good enough to give customers a good shopping experience. According to him, in the modern world of shopping, it is no longer about size but giving service. This, he said, is why the store is would have an edge over competition as giving the quickest and best service remains its target.
“We have created an environment where customers can find everything they want under one roof, get the best quality of ultra-fresh produce, and have a delightful, fulfilling and exciting shopping trip,” Bektaslar said.
Although the promoters of the firm kept mom on the cost of the business, the Assistant Vice-President, Marketing, Hubmart Stores, Mr. Cheng Fuller, disclosed that the store is a fully-owned Nigerian retail chain.
He explained that more additions to its services will come introduced based on feedback received from its customers. One of such feedbacks, Fuller revealed, led to the inclusion of the “Kiddies corner”.
The store, Fuller said, would provide employment to over 150 Nigerians, 60 per cent of whom would be sourced from the local community. Besides, the firm plans to introduce a retail academy where trainings of skilled personnel in retail service will be carried out., as well as addressing local production capacity in the retail sector.
“Manufacturing and local production are major challenges to the growth of the retail sector. We should encourage local manufacturers to produce more so that retailers can reduce importation,” Fuller said.
