<div>27 BOXES is a&nbsp;cutting-edge lifestyle centre&nbsp;based in the heart of Melville, Johannesburg. Over 100 shipping containers contain a variety of retail stores - from fashion boutiques to a bakery. Retailers at 27 Boxes are more energetic and experimental than your average. It&rsquo;s extremely popular with Johannesburg&rsquo;s youth and, with plenty of events running each month, it&rsquo;s getting busier all the time.</div>
 
SpaceMatch is an online marketplace for short-term retail space. It functions much like Airbnb in the retail space. It&#39;s an online platform that allows landlords to list their empty space for free and for brands to book it as easily as booking a hotel room. 
 
The partnership provides local entrepreneurs and start-up businesses with the opportunity to trial new products and concepts in a trusted retail environment. Rentals start from under&nbsp;R 2,000 a week. 
 
Dion Pillay, Business Executive for 27 Boxes commented &ldquo;We look forward to working with SpaceMatch over the coming years, and we are excited about the potential to discover new and emerging brands that will have a good fit with 27 Boxes.&rdquo; 
 
Kevin Singer, CEO at SpaceMatch, commented: &ldquo;We are always looking for ways to help emerging brands access the best spaces to showcase their ideas. 27 Boxes gives young brands a chance to build brand awareness, test their concept and meet local customers face to face in a prime retail destination. It also gives shoppers the chance to discover new brands. 
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27 Boxes and SpaceMatch are pleased to announce their partnership, an initiative to introduce young and creative talent to 27 Boxes.
Rent space at 27 Boxes. Rent shop in Melveille. Rent Restaurant in Melville

SpaceMatch and 27 Boxes Press Release

It&rsquo;s certainly depressing to walk past deserted main street shopping areas with a smattering of struggling retailers and loads of &ldquo;for rent&rdquo; signs. 
 
A lot of work goes into trying to revitalise these areas because helping them flourish is good for everyone who visits them, from residents and retailers to shoppers and even extending to disadvantaged communities nearby.
The Cycle of Decline 

These areas usually follow a cycle that begins with a run-down area attracting only community-centric retailers that trade off cheap rentals. If these businesses are supported by locals, they develop character and become more successful, helping the area become a cherished one. 
 
This leads to local investment which boosts the area but keeps the rentals low and helps retailers to thrive. But, as the area gains popularity and a higher profile, so larger investors are attracted, and this causes rentals to rise. The increased value of the area tends to attract national chains, and this can often suffocate community businesses and reduce community support. 
 
Once this happens then vacancies appear again, and the area tends to decline fairly quickly as it loses its character and local flavour. Other factors that impact local shopping precincts include global and local economic conditions, as well as changes in the profile of surrounding suburbs. 
 
In order to combat this kind of decline, there are various steps that can be taken.

<h4>Flexibility from Local Authorities </h4>

Shopping strips have multiple landlords, which doesn&rsquo;t allow the oversight that a mall or shopping centre owner would have. The responsibility, therefore, lies with local authorities to ensure that premises can be adapted so that the mix remains appropriate and approvals for new retailers can happen quickly.

<h4>Local investment</h4>

Areas thrive for many reasons but one of the most important is the broader surrounding spaces. Local authorities should ensure that the space is appealing, that historical areas are maintained and attractive and that new construction is encouraged and facilitated.

<h4>Good Amenities</h4>

People are attracted to areas with good amenities. Local authorities should invest in seating, lighting, parking and other amenities to make the area more conducive to retail traffic. Well-maintained park spaces, toilets and free Wi-Fi are all amenities that make a difference to the appeal of a shopping area.

<h4>Broad Retail Appeal</h4>

Businesses that can offer something beyond the local market will have a better chance of survival. Retailers should therefore be encouraged to offer online services and delivery options to widen their appeal.

<h4>Proactive Planning</h4>

Local government benefits from thriving shopping precincts and it should therefore put in the work to ensure that these are protected. Thriving main streets result in rising house prices and therefore increased rates. They also lend character and appeal to an area. 
 
The cycle of demise can happen very fast if local authorities are not agile in reacting to changes in the environment. Reviving a shopping precinct is an expensive and slow process. It&rsquo;s therefore in everyone&rsquo;s best interest to invest in maintaining thriving shopping precincts and ensure that they are resilient and cherished spaces in the community.

Discussion on shopping precincts and what makes them fail or flourish

Helping Shopping Precincts Thrive

27 BOXES is a&nbsp;cutting-edge lifestyle centre&nbsp;based in the heart of Melville, Johannesburg. This is a destination with a difference offering unique social spaces, interesting retail and contemporary eateries housed in over 100 shipping containers.

Find shops, restaurants, bars and offices to rent at 27 Boxes in Melville

Find shops, restaurants, bars, ghost kitchens and offices to rent at 27 Boxes in Melville

27 Boxes

With a dynamic tenant mix of local and international brands - coupled with passion for community involvement - Alberton City is a household name and popular family destination for over 520 000 loyal shoppers.&nbsp;From convenience to speciality, Alberton City Shopping Centre is the definitive destination for discerning shoppers seeking a relaxed shopping experience, filled with diversity. With over 1 700 parking bays for ease of access - and everything from food to fashion - it is Alberton&#39;s favourite one-stop centre.

Find shops to rent at Alberton City,  the friendly South East neighbourhood of Johannesburg.

A family destination for loyal shoppers. Find shops to rent at Alberton City, the friendly South East neighbourhood of Johannesburg.

Find shops to rent at Alberton City

Alberton City

Ballito Junction Regional Mall is located on Kwa-Zulu Natal&rsquo;s Dolphin Coast. It is off Ballito Drive, which can be accessed from the N2 Highway. Featuring a sensational line-up of 200 carefully selected stores together with six anchor tenants including Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Checkers, Edgars, Game and Dis-Chem, Ballito Junction Regional Mall combines convenience with a world-class shopping experience. It exemplifies modern elegance and style. It offers three magnificent shopping levels with a full range of retailers including fashion, footwear, wellness, health and beauty, home d&eacute;cor, cellular services, banking and more. Bringing top quality dining and state-of-the-art entertainment to the region is Ballito Junction&rsquo;s Urban Eatery, Nu Metro cinemas and 22 Jump Street, to name but a few. We have a range of shops, kiosks and medical rooms available for rent.

Find shops, kiosks and medical rooms to rent at Ballito Junction, the home of fabulous shopping in the vibrant heart of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Dolphin Coast

SpaceMatch has a range of shops, kiosks and medical rooms available for rent at Ballito Junction Regional Mall, located on Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Dolphin Coast. Ballito Junction combines convenience with a world-class shopping experience.

Find shops, kiosks and medical rooms  to rent at Ballito Junction.

Ballito Junction

Conveniently nestled in Johannesburg&rsquo;s world-class shopping and dining hub, Sandton, Benmore Centre caters for day-to-day delights and life&rsquo;s special indulgences. Let the modern design invite you in, and cosmopolitan ambience win you over while you shop and dine to your heart&rsquo;s delight. 
From quick and convenient to chic and quirky &ndash; Benmore Centre has it all. For a limied period, SpaceMatch has a number of Pop Up shops to rent at Bemore Centre at less than half the normal price.

Looking for shops to rent in Sandton ? Benmore Centre offers a convenient alternative to the conventional shopping mall experience.

Benmore Centre, in Sandton, offers a convenient alternative to the conventional shopping mall experience. Rent a  Pop Up shop at Benmore Centre with SpaceMatch.

Benmore Centre - SpaceMatch has shops and Pop Up shops for rent

Benmore Centre

Situated in the heart of Pretoria&#39;s cosmopolitan Embassy suburbs, Brooklyn Mall combines all the components necessary to create a vibrant hub of activity in the capital&#39;s most prestigious neighbourhood.&nbsp;This mall offers local residents and international visitors to Pretoria plenty of choices in a beautiful environment. 
 
Brooklyn Mall offers customers the convenience of one-stop-shopping catering to the requirements of the most discerning shopper. A full complement of national retailers along with approximately 220 specialist retail stores provides the very best luxuries and shopping of choice. There is also an assortment of restaurants and coffee bars satisfying an astute palette. 
 
Parking is available at very reasonable hourly rates and the mall is accessible to those with physical disabilities, thanks to ramps and lifts that are strategically located throughout. There are also dedicated toilet facilities for those that are physically disabled. 
 
For a limited time period, we have a number of prime retail spaces at Brooklyn Mall available for short term rentals. Search our Spaces now to find the ideal opportunity for your pop-up shop.&nbsp; 
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Looking for shops, pop-up shops or retail spaces to rent? Brooklyn Mall is located in one of Pretoria's most prestigious suburbs.

Brooklyn Mall is located in one of Pretoria's most prestigious suburbs. Find shops, pop-up shops and retail spaces available for rent at Brooklyn Mall with SpaceMatch.

Brooklyn Mall

One of the outstanding features architects incorporated into the design is the fashion spine that forms part of the main thoroughfare through the mall. It allows shoppers&nbsp;to stroll along a broad fashion walk dotted with huge green planters, climate cooling water features and a kids&rsquo; play area, stopping by your favourite fashion retailers, restaurants, book shops and cinemas.&nbsp;The mall has&nbsp;over 200 tenants anchored by Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Game, Dis-Chem, Clicks and Checkers, with the upper floor offering some great home and d&eacute;cor retailers, restaurants and more.

Centurion Mall offers its community a unique space, not only to shop but also to socialise and enjoy some of the finer things in life.

27 Boxes

Find shops, restaurants, bars and offices to rent at 27 Boxes in Melville

Available spaces in 27 Boxes

Shopping Centre Showcase

Ballito Junction

Benmore Centre

Brooklyn Mall

Centurion Mall

27 Boxes

Alberton City

Ballito Junction

Benmore Centre

Brooklyn Mall

Centurion Mall

27 Boxes

Alberton City

Ballito Junction

Benmore Centre

Brooklyn Mall

Centurion Mall

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