d & Dr
o L&S Fo
ink
CHEERS
World class Tops liquor store at Lifestyle Centre
“
extension and revamp of the Lifestyle TOPS got underway behind the scenes during lockdown. When liquor stores were closed by the government for the second time this year, the TOPS team took the decision to make good use of the lockdown period, bringing the project start date forward and accelerating the construction program, clearing out the store and powering ahead with some of the more disruptive work while the store was closed to customers.
This very exciting project has created a unique, spacious and beautifully designed liquor store that is over two and a half times the size of the previous TOPS store at Lifestyle Centre. According to Lifestyle Centre and Lifestyle TOPS Co-owner, Bruce Rencken, “One of the many things that lockdown has highlighted is just how big a part of our life liquor is. South Africans are social and gregarious by nature and enjoying a drink together often forms the basis of gathering with family or friends, usually accompanied by an excellent meal. But the new LIFESTYLE TOPS is about more than just the liquor. Not only have we extensively expanded our range and offering in wine and other growing liquor categories, but we have introduced new categories such as biltong, cigars, gifting, snacks and chocolates.” The existing 336m2 trading area has grown to 884m2, incorporating an expansive wine department, walk-in beer fridge and intimate, interesting spaces for gin, whiskey, rum and tequila, and international speciality beer brands and craft beers. “Our vision was to be an ‘experiential’ liquor store, rather than a ‘traditional’ or ‘ conventional’ liquor store,” said Rencken. “Key factors in the floor layout and design of the store are convenience, flow, simplicity of shopping experience, extensive range and visual merchandising. The store is on trend, with beautiful design and aesthetics, and offers a number of different concepts. Our aim is to transform Ballito’s liquor shopping into a world class, fun, exciting, educational and experiential occasion”. The new store is what marketing experts refer to as an industry disruptor and leader, and has established a new benchmark in the retail sector – another first, for Ballito! LIFESTYLE TOPS Lifestyle Centre, Ballito www.lifestylehealth.co.za www.topsatspar.co.za tops.lifestyle1@retail.spar.co.za 032 946 3931/2 www.facebook.com/BallitoLifestyleTops
