The sanitary crisis has forced us to adjust to new norms, going against all our innate instincts; working from home with all the implied challenges, forgoing face to face and physical presence which usually solidify teams, being made to wear masks and applying physical distancing. Yet at Ascencia, we understood that embracing and implementing a good shopping experience would only be possible through a coordinated strategy among concerned parties which would generate the best results during these uncharted times.

We have worked arduously together to maintain a level of service on our malls. The lock down period will forever be a part of our lives where we can be proud that as a team that we did not back down from a challenge, but rather we continued to strive for operational excellence with imposed constraints. The teams pulled together during this time; when they were called upon they were present without a moment’s hesitation. This has been a true example that no man is an island and that together we are stronger. 

Ascencia has always favoured a relationship where the landlord works together with all its partners. This joint effort has proven its worth in times of crisis. Keeping our focus in one direction will allow us to continue to weather the storm. As such, we are constantly in communication with our tenants to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on their businesses. The teams on site have been meeting with the tenant’s teams deriving strategies to increase visibility and to adjust operational retail practices to meet the new challenges being faced. 

We have been engaging with Business Mauritius and MCCI (Mauritius Chamber of Commerce & Industry) in the presence of other landlords and tenants representatives with the objective of making meaningful proposals to the authorities. Our collaborative aim: how to sustain the future of the retail sector on the island.  We will keep engaging with all partners for the best interest of the retail sector.