Thursday, 22 July 2010

Shoppers trickle back to Phnom Penh malls


via Khmer NZ

Thursday, 22 July 2010 15:01 Soeun Say

PHNOM Penh’s shopping malls and supermarkets have seen business increase by around 10 percent since the beginning of the year.

Representatives of four of the city’s major malls said sales had increased as consumers returned to spending on nonessential items, but some said they were worried that the rainy season would hamper business.

Sovanna Shopping Mall General Manager Lam Sopheap said sales at Sovanna had increased by between 5 percent and 10 percent compared to last year.

“Sales have been good for the first six months, but I don’t know what we’ll see in the second half. During the rainy season it is very difficult to attract customers,” he said, adding that upgrading the mall’s entertainment value was key.

“People always like things that are new and fantastic, so we are continuously upgrading,” he said.

Sorya Shopping Centre General Manager Chea Sok Heak said she had recorded a sales increase of between 10 and 20 percent.

“Food and beverage sales are particularly strong, but there has been a decline for items such as clothing, bags and shoes,” she said.

Running a clothing shop in Sorya has been quiet for Chan Veachka this year. She said returning customers were coming to look, not to buy.

But the general manager at Pencil Supermarket Svay Sovann Ratana said that sales at there had increased about 5 percent year on year.

Bayon Supermarket General Manager Chheang Meng said yesterday that the global recovery had seen business improve slightly.

No comments: