The Pavilion goes digital
The centre organised the 'Instameet' event to engage with its consumer base as well remain relevant in this competitive age.
IF fashion and pop culture are your things, then Durban’s Pavilion Shopping Centre is the place for you.
A number of key fashion and pop culture influencers from around the city gathered at an ‘Instameet’ event organised by the Centre on Friday evening to showcase the key fashion trends that were expected to set the tone at this year’s Durban Vodacom July event, themed: ‘The Color of Magic’.
The Pavilion is partnering with the eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Tourism to showcase fashion, shopping and tourism.
In this month of heightened fashion awareness, Pavilion’s national and international retail stores will showcase their products to fashion lovers and icons, sports enthusiasts, and tourists.
Shoppers at the Pavilion who purchase over R 1000 and more between 6 -26 June stand a chance to be in a lucky draw to win a set of 20 double tickets to the VIP section at this year’s Vodacom Durban July event.
Each ticket is valued at R3500.
More international brands were needed at the Centre but they gave praise that new international stores such as Clarks, Fabiani, G-Star Raw and Forever New had already took tenancy.
Maria Valaskatzis, a digital and social media influencer with over half a million followers on her website, said, “Social media platforms such as Instagram are increasingly becoming great sites to look for fashionable items. I think the Pavilion is taking a step in the right direction by improving its social media engagement.”
Prince Nhlengethwa who is a fashion photographer, lifestyle blogger and visual merchandiser said, “The Pavilion needs to catch up as new malls are upping their game. However, it is getting there and making an effort.”
Nisha Kemraj, General Manager of the Pavilion Shopping Centre, said the Pavilion prided itself on being responsive to consumers and meeting customers’ demand with optimal care.
She said the Centre organised the “Instameet” event with the deliberate purpose of “engaging with its consumer base as well remaining relevant in this competitive age”.
“By 2018 we are looking to add a luxury brand like Louis Vuitton,” she said.
Kemraj said adding more international brands did not mean moving away from supporting local business people.
“Our focus is on improving the ‘Proudly South African’ brand. We concede that the country has a high unemployment rate, and we need to play our role in alleviating this. We are therefore looking at partnering with government departments to look at ways in which we can create a sustainable environment for local people to be competitive in the retail sector,” she added.
The Centre will have Pop Up Fashion shows sponsored by The Space during the month of June. The Fashion shows will typically run for an hour and commence at noon every Saturday, from 10 to 24 June at the Fountain Court of the Centre, in the build-up to the Vodacom Durban July.
Radio personality and brand ambassador Zaba along with other esteemed influencers will be on site to engage with customers. Shoppers will also be given a chance to have fun at the centre as clues will be shared on social media platforms for customers to go on a hunt and find promoters to win spot prizes, vouchers, and free parking tickets.
