Shoppers in the Helderberg basin are stepping into a noticeably different Somerset Mall this season, as the centre rolls out its 5 500m² expansion and introduces a wave of fresh brands to the region.
The development lifts the mall’s store count from 180 to 206, a shift that regional observers have described as a long-awaited response to fast-growing consumer demand.
The transformation marks one of the most significant retail upgrades the basin has seen in recent years.
As highlighted in a NovaNews report, the retail hub’s management noted that the additions were guided directly by what residents had been requesting for years: easier access to premium and niche brands without the need to travel into Cape Town.
The expansion has brought several newcomers to the Western Cape or to South Africa altogether, as Somerset Mall now hosts the country’s first Safari Collection store, which is a division of Safari Outdoor, and is preparing to welcome Napapijri’s first Western Cape outlet early next year.
The latest wave of openings includes international and lifestyle names such as Skechers, Lego, Bella Luna, New Balance, Burnt, Curve Gear, Nicci Boutique and JD Sports.
For families who previously planned day trips simply to reach specialist sportswear stores or premium toy outlets, these new additions bring notable convenience.
‘We have listened to what our community desires and we have delivered,’ said Nicholas Oliphant, general manager of Somerset Mall.
‘This expansion responds directly to demand from Helderberg residents, who deserve access to these brands on their doorstep. We are constructing retail infrastructure that will serve this flourishing region for years to come.’
The development has also created tangible economic uplift, as outlined in NovaNews’ breakdown of the project; construction generated more than 1 200 jobs, while the newest stores have already added 400 permanent positions.
Taken together, the mall and its tenants now provide employment for roughly 3 500 people, making the centre one of the Helderberg basin’s biggest employers.
Beyond the immediate job numbers, the report also noted that local suppliers, contractors and service providers have benefited significantly from the build-out, ensuring that the financial impact extends deeper into the surrounding area.
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Picture: Somerset Mall / Instagram
