Sandton City surges ahead as Africa’s top retail powerhouse

• Sandton City achieves 99.9% occupancy, confirming unrelenting demand for premium retail space.
• Strategic tenant curation, global brands and experience-led retail drive strong trading density growth.
• Sustainability upgrades and continuous reinvestment reinforce long-term performance and resilience.

Sandton City - Africa’s premier retail destination

‍Sandton City has again reinforced its standing as the continent’s most influential retail and lifestyle destination, reaching a near-perfect 99.9% occupancy, a milestone that speaks to its unmatched pulling power among top-tier retailers, both global and local.

This performance reflects a multi-year repositioning strategy led by the Standard Bank Group’s Insurance and Asset Management business unit. The focus: sharper tenant mix engineering, operational excellence, and an ongoing reinvestment cycle designed to keep the centre at the forefront of South Africa’s retail evolution.

Major steps in this transformation included the rightsizing of Edgars and the creation of a high-performing athleisure node, which now houses the second Crocs Icon store globally, offering a unique experiential retail format. New international entrants like Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade have further elevated Sandton City’s global fashion offering, while established favourites such as Mango and Ferragamo are undergoing comprehensive refurbishments to enhance shopper appeal.

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“We are pleased to continue to showcase excellence at Sandton City. This result is the outcome of a focused, data-driven leasing and operational strategy that has evolved over time,” says Dimitri Kokinos, General and Asset Manager for the Sandton City precinct.

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“By understanding our customers, staying close to our tenants and responding strategically to opportunities, we continue to deliver a relevant, resilient retail environment positioned for long-term growth.”

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Strong tenant demand and sustained performance

‍Over the past 24 months, Sandton City has concluded 50 new leases and facilitated 46 store upgrades, representing more than 30 000m² of refreshed lettable space. Trading density has expanded by 12.1%, significantly outperforming national averages.

Vacancies improved sharply from 3.6% in January 2025 to just 0.1% by October 2025 demonstrating a depth of demand very few retail assets in the country can match. High-performing categories such as fashion, athleisure, beauty and lifestyle continue to lead the leasing pipeline.

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“The evolution we have seen at Sandton is testament to our strategy in action,” says Jonathan Sinden, Commercial and Operations Property Executive.

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“By investing in fundamentals, leasing discipline, operational efficiency, experiential retail and sustainability, we strengthen Sandton City’s leadership position in a rapidly changing retail environment. The centre remains resilient, competitive and deeply attractive to retailers and consumers alike.”

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Sustained investment and experience innovation

‍Sandton City’s ongoing reinvestment push extends far beyond aesthetics. The centre is aligning aggressively with Net Zero ambitions and modern energy efficiency expectations:

• a 1MW solar rooftop installation to reduce grid load;
• adoption of energy wheeling to improve long-term sustainability;
• continuous asset upgrades aligned with a Net Zero 2030 pathway.

These initiatives underline a broader strategic shift toward future-proofing the centre through environmental responsibility and experience-focused development.

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“Retail spaces must evolve beyond traditional formats to stay meaningful. Our strategy integrates sustainability, experience and purpose into every decision,” says Amelia Beattie, Head of Business Efficiencies, Property and Impact at the Standard Bank Group’s Insurance and Asset Management unit.

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‍“Sandton City is a prime example of this evolution, a space that drives commerce, but also fosters creativity, connection and community.”

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Retail snapshot: what defines Sandton City’s dominance

• 99.9% occupancy indicating exceptional demand
• 50 new leases + 46 upgrades completed in two years
• 12.1% trading density growth, outperforming national averages
• 30 000m² of refreshed lettable space
• Global fashion expansion (Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Mango, Ferragamo)
• Second Crocs icon store worldwide
• Future-focused sustainability investments: solar, energy wheeling, Net Zero upgrades
• Experience-led tenant mix blending global brands, local innovation and high-end lifestyle
• Unrivalled positioning in SA’s financial capital with strong footfall and commuter access

A resilient retail engine

‍Sandton City continues to evolve well beyond the traditional shopping centre model. Operational agility, disciplined leasing, and a commitment to sustainability are cementing the precinct’s place as Africa’s most desirable retail address and a high-performing, resilient asset for investors.

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“Our focus now is on maintaining this momentum. With strong tenant partnerships and strategic reinvestment, Sandton City will continue to perform strongly and set new benchmarks for excellence in retail,” Kokinos concludes.

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