Indian malls are behind global standards by at least 10 years but the Indian consumer is on par with the global shopper.
This throws up quite a few challenges for shopping centres in terms of equipping talent in mall management, says Prof Chris Cloete, a South Africa-based shopping centre expert.
Prof Cloete has developed all the training courses of the South Africa Council of Shopping Centers for shopping centre managers. More than 5,000 professionals have been trained at his workshops.
Commenting on Indian shopping centres and mall development, he says internationalisation of brands have dissolved individual differences among shoppers making them more or less homogeneous.
“Teenagers all over the world shop in the same way, although there are some minor cultural differences.” With complexity of products being offered and globalisation of shopping habits, malls have to better equip staff with the latest trends in building management.
He puts location on top of the list of critical factors that determine the success of a mall. “It is a necessary condition, but not a sufficient one. This should be accompanied by a good tenant mix and accessibility to the mall.”
Indian malls he feels, lack trained people in engineering and maintenance skills. “People have to be trained in hard engineering skills areas building maintenance and air-conditioning, security and in softer skills like visual display,” he says.
Prof Cloete, who has interest in application of artificial intelligence in real estate says that in most developed countries, shopping centre management is a well-established industry with focused curriculum from university level and standard industry practices being established.
Currently he is in India to conduct workshops on Fundamentals of Shopping Centre Management organised by Shopping Centers Association of India (SCAI).
(Source-: Business Line)