The Influence of Shopping Complexes/Malls on the South African Grocery SMEs in the Periphery

Abstract

The traditional grocery small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa presently contend with the emerging trendy shopping complexes/malls that has gripped country recently. The leading retailers of fast-moving consumers goods (FMCGs) at the malls attracted customers due to discounted prices offered. This study aimed to establish the influence of these shopping complexes on grocery SMEs in the periphery in densely populated cities such as Johannesburg. The “Central Place Theory” underpinned the study and qualitative research methodology pursued. It emerged that the grocery SMEs at the mall periphery benefitted from regularly purchased discounted products for resale.