Quality Index In Judging Shopping Centre

Shopping Center Quality Index !!! --- SQI

India tops the annual list of most attractive countries for international retail expansion, according to AT Kearney's Global Retail Development Index 2006 .The USD 270-billion Indian retail market is growing at the rate of 13 per cent -- and the organized segment grew nearly 48 per cent in 2006 at prevailing prices. Projected growth rate for the organized segment is about 40 per cent for year 2007 and with major global players and Indian corporate houses entering the fray this growth is likely to touch 45 per cent per annum over the next three years. By 2010 about 300 million square feet of additional retail space likely to be generated. Mall development has been steady -- currently there are about 200 operational malls (including some on the verge of completion), and this number is expected to rise to almost 600 by the year 2010. Of the new malls coming up, 40 per cent are concentrated in the smaller cities.

Quality of shopping malls in terms building quality though being one of the most important factors have always being ignored as there are no set parameters to do a comparative study. With over 600 malls that will be operational in next 5-6 years the success factor of the mall will depend not only on tenant mix, location, facilities but various other factors.

It is important for the retailers, advertisers and investors to judge a shopping mall on totality with quality index also. This is important as "what can be measured..... Can only be improved".

An overall ranking of various factors affecting the success of shopping center can be done through analytical weightage method.

Loosely we can say that : A shopping center is store of stores spread over a building or multiple buildings enabling customers to move from one store to another store in a comfortable atmosphere with adequate amenities. The shopping center must also fulfill needs of right tenant mix, security, safety, convenience of approach, entertainment etc.

What are the various Base Quality Parameter Categories that are important constituents of S.Q.I?

Sno Base Quality Categories

1 Building Presentation

2 Mall Management

3 Functionality

4 Service and Tenancy

5 Access and Circulation

6 Facilities

7 Scope for Marketing

8 Developer Past Experience

Here, we must Factors that are important constituents of each Categories. This list can be as exhaustive as possible. From various reports we will consider following Factors for each of the constituents:

Sno Base Quality Categories Factors

1 Building Presentation Exterior Design

Interior Design

2 Mall Management Security & Access

Maintenance

Parking Management

3 Functionality Structural Design

Store Size

4 Service and Tenancy Tenant Mix

Effective Space

HVAC

Toilet

Power Supply

Lighting Supply

5 Access and Circulation Circulation of person

Circulation of Merchandise

Accessibility

Signage

6 Facilities Horticulture

Restaurant , Food Court ,

Multiplex

Bank, ATM

Playground

Employee Facility

7 Scope for other entertainment Place for events

Common Area

8 Developer Past Experience Financial Strength

Past Retail /Mall Experience

Here, we know the factors responsible for the main quality parameters. To understand this further, we must broaden the factors further. So, we will arrive at sub-factors, which constitutes factors:

Sno Base Quality Categories Factors Sub -Factors

1 Building Presentation Exterior Design FaÐ*ade Design

Main Entrance Design

Interior Design Atrium Design

Common Area Design

Finishing of materials

Total Floor plate area

2 Mall Management Security & Access Security and Parking Access Control

Security and Indoor Access Control

Maintenance CAM charges

Housekeeping

HVAC

Maintenances of Services and Access

Parking Management Capacity

Charges

Planning

3 Functionality Structural Design Ceiling Height

Column Height