Each city has its own style and power. On November 30th, The Commercial Estate Forum of New First –tier Cities was held in Nanjing. Themed “Influence a City”, the forum invited more than 500 shopping mall developers, operators and retailers to discuss the future development of new first-tier cities’ commercial estate and to explore the new developing path. Also invited by the forum, SM Supermalls represented and spoke for Xiamen city.
18 new first-tier cities, including Wuhan, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Suzhou, Chongqing, Xiamen, Nanjing, Xi’an, Changsha, Qingdao, Ningbo, Wuxi, Dalian, Shenyang, Jinan, Zhengzhou and Nanchang, all represented by their own representative projects and were divided into 6 groups, each group cooperated with experts and all made presentations.
The group of Xiamen, Shenyang and Changsha
(Right to left: Mr. Wangwei, the experts and executive director of Shanghai Xiaidi Marketing and Planning Co., Ltd.; Mr. Chivas V. Alejo, Assistant Vice President – Leasing of SM Supermalls China; Mr. Yuxiao, General Manager of Shenyang Longemont Supermalls; Ms. HeCai Ningling, director of Changsha IFS.) Photo Source: WinShang
Growing with the City by Mr. Chivas V. Alejo, Assistant Vice President – Leasing of SM Supermalls China
“Our founder, Mr. Henry Sy, Sr., who is originally from Fujian and migrated to the Philippines, is known for being a visionary. When SM entered China in 2001, our main goal is to deliver sustainable and long-term growth.” Said Mr. Chivas, “We were the first shopping center in Xiamen. At that time, it was a challenge for us to get the trust of brands who would invest in a developing area.”
SM opened the first shopping center in Xiamen in 2001
Xiamen now has about 40 shopping centers, and still growing, it is known that there are more than 10 malls under planning or opening soon in the near future. The rapid development of Xiamen’s commercial estate and the evolving upgrade of consumption give SM every motive to keep growing. From SM Xiamen phase Ⅰ(SM City Xiamen), SM introduced Phase Ⅱ or also known as SM Lifestyle Center in 2009. This project brought Xiamen into the map and introduced the concept of Lifestyle Mall into the city.
Bird’s-eye view of SM City Xiamen & SM Lifestyle Center
In terms of leasing, SM brought many firsts in the market like Muji, Sephora, Zara, Apple Store, and a lot more…and speaking of Marketing activities, SM also pioneered in launching Fashion Week, Christmas Season, and cultural and art exhibits that brought Xiamen to the international scene, including the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). This October, Paper Art @ SM Lifestyle Center won ICSC Golden Award of Marketing Excellence.
Paper Art @ SM Lifestyle Center won ICSC Golden Award of Marketing Excellence
As Xiamen joins the new first-tier cities, SM is ready to further grow with the market. SM’s Phase Ⅲ is now under construction to house more affordable luxury brands and high-end hotel. There would even be a Phase Ⅳ that would have office buildings.
Perspective Drawing of SM Xiamen Complex
“Now, SM also has malls in Jinjiang, Chengdu, Chongqing, Suzhou, Zibo and Tianjin，and will continue expanding to Yangzhou in the near future. We also have 66 shopping centers in the Philippines, making it the biggest conglomerate in Southeast Asia.” Said Mr. Chivas, “We believe that our story in Xiamen can be repeatedly told, though focus, hard work, and innovation.”
SM Xiamen Lifestyle Center Representing Xiamen City (Photo source: WinShang)