THE record as the biggest shopping mall in the country created by Grand Gateway in the city's Xujiahui District last year will soon be broken by Super Brand Mall invested by the Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Group.

The idea to build the shopping mall was first raised about 10 years ago but was delayed by the Asian financial crisis. Its opening is expected next September.

Having a floor space of over 241,000 sqm, 10 floors above the ground and another 3 below, the $335-million mall will provide over 1,000 namebrands from home and abroad including 50 top fashion brands, a large jewellery area, a Lotus supermarket, an Internet cafe and 13 cinemas.

Located near Pudong Shangri-La in Lujiazui, the Super Brand Mall is seen isolated compared with Huaihai Lu and Nanjing Lu.

"Lujiazui is the new image of the city, almost all tourists will come to visit the area," said Somkit Tan, president of Super Brand Mall. "So compared with the traditional Nanjing Lu and Huaihai Lu, the mall will be more international."

It is expected to draw customers from the 13 million local residents and millions of tourists, according to Tan.

The sluggishness of local retail business does not worry Tan, who still believes there is a lot of potential among local residents.

Research conducted by the group said that Shanghaiese spend an average from 480 yuan ($58) to 560 yuan ($68) for one time of shopping. "I think it is a high figure," he said.

Tan said his group expects the mall to turn profit after seven years of operation.

(Shanghai Star)