Jem was just one more big mall with the usual mix of shops and food outlets when it opened in 2013, but it has undergone a transformation over the past few years and now boasts a far quirkier retail line-up.
The shopping centre in Jurong became the site of Ikea’s first store within a mall, while also hosting specialized offerings such as organic Australian grocer Scoop Wholefoods and gourmet food retailer Vom Fass.
The Jem makeover is far from unique here, with many malls fast evolving into spaces that serve up a lot more than just food and retail, a process spurred by the pandemic.
These new-look malls will feature concept stores that offer an experience – not just goods – and more community spaces for hybrid work, exercise and exhibitions.
Ms Jenny Khoo, Lendlease Singapore’s head of asset operations, noted that even while Covid-19 has sparked a boom in e-commerce, it has also shown that physical shopping remains relevant.
“One thing Covid-19 has taught us is that shopping malls are here to stay,” she said. “Online shopping is very easy – just a click away – but many of us have multi-layered needs. After staying home for a while, you want to get out, and that experience cannot be replaced by online shopping.”
Lendlease manages Jem and three other malls here.
A CapitaLand spokesman added that the property giant still sees strong interest in malls, having opened more than 150 new stores in its Singapore shopping centres in the first half of this year. It also had an overall portfolio occupancy of above 97 per cent as at June 30.
This story is from the November 15, 2021 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the November 15, 2021 edition of The Straits Times.
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