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Coop reduces commercial space, clothing store moves: there are several changes in the San Galo shopping area
There are several pending changes to the shopping scene in the west of the city of St. Gallen. Coop is reducing its space by 1,300 square meters. Additionally, Aldi is moving from the Westcenter to the shopping area.
There are some changes in the area of purchases. The center’s director, Marc Schäfer, in front of the Coop branch.
Next to the Coop Megastore in the commercial area, where previously the Interdiscount was, there is a partition, behind which the construction of a temporary solution has already begun. Some changes are planned in the first basement of the shopping center.
Adjustments have already been made: Interdiscount has not abandoned the shopping arena, but has moved to a smaller retail space. Whereas products were previously offered in 1000 square meters, now it is 350 square meters. This reduction is a reaction to competition, because more and more people buy online or in nearby countries.
The “Chicorée” clothing store is nowhere in the arena. After the lease expired, it was not renewed. The Coop Vitality pharmacy reached the vacant space. “It was a wish of Coop to also have a pharmacy in the commercial field”, explains Marc Schäfer, director of the center of the commercial field, explaining this decision. This also contributes to an attractive tenant mix.
There is now a Coop Vitality pharmacy in the shopping area.
Aldi moves from the West Center to the commercial realm
Now a temporary solution for Coop Megastore is being built in the empty space of the old Interdiscount. This is also due to a change: the area will be reduced from around 3800 to 2500 square meters. This is also a response to online competition. “In the non-food area, the range is minimized,” says Schäfer.
This applies to clothing, books, gifts, and crafts, as well as stationery and kitchen accessories. However, the food court is still the same size, and by definition the branch is still a megastore. Commercial space that becomes free will be rented from Aldi.
You might think that Coop and Aldi are competing. But that is not the case. Coop is particularly strong with fresh and branded products, Aldi with its own brands. “
At Coop Megastore, outreach in the non-food area is being minimized.
Construction works will begin in January and are expected to last until the end of March. The two branches will either reopen or reopen in April. Aldi is moving out of the West Center across from the shopping area, which Schäfer is pleased to see: “Compared to the West Center, we don’t have empty stores. This is a more attractive location for Aldi because customers from other stores are also potential Aldi customers. “
The commercial space, in which Coop’s interim unit will be located until the end of March 2021, must be rented. Schäfer cannot yet say which business will move there, negotiations are still ongoing.
Families are the target audience
The shopping area attracts millions of visitors each year.
These changes are just a few of the many that have occurred in recent years. “When we opened the shopping arena, for example, the euro was around 1.70 francs. It is now at 1.07 francs. We had to think of something to keep up with the competition, ”says Marc Schäfer.
In 2016, the “Strategy 2025” was launched in the commercial field, with which the offer was oriented more towards families as the target audience. One step in this direction was the opening of the Zollibolli branch in 2018 and the expansion of the children’s department at H&M last spring. The disco, which was not well received, was transformed into an interior patio.
The Zollibolli branch opened in 2018.
The concept seems to be working: “We have been able to maintain sales and customer frequency in recent years despite competition from online retail and shopping tourism,” says Schäfer.
Each year, 4.3 million customers visit the shopping center in the west of the city, the turnover amounts to 220 million francs. «We are very satisfied with this development. The combination of a stadium with shops, which is also successful in other Swiss cities, also works in St. Gallen. “
