Twenty years after this article was published, notice how every prediction in the photograph has become reality with the exception of free valet parking.
Music and Books are mostly sold online in2020, though CD's have been replaced with mp3 downloads or subscriptions to streaming services e.g. Apple Music. We are fortunate that some physical bookstores still remain, though surviving chains and stores have reduced their retail space where they still trade e.g. Dymocks Parramatta has relocated to a smaller site within Westfield Parramatta.
Fashion and Food stores have become the key to success for a shopping centre in 2020. Supermarkets are now regarded as the anchors for a shopping centre. International Fashion chains have built a strong presence in the past decade with a number of chains e.g. Uniqlo and Zara now viewed as mini-majors. Their presence has expanded from the Sydney CBD into major suburban centres.
Food Courts have evolved to provide better furniture not to mention that they have their own competition from upmarket dining precincts that provide restaurants, cafes and bars.
The article foretold the rise of "click and collect" shopping. Not only it appeals in terms of securely collecting the item, but in the two decades since, it can be convenient for a person who needs it "now".
Finally, some Sydney shopping centres have had apartment eomplexes built above their centres since 2000 which have been associated with redevelopment of existing shopping centres including Southpoint Shopping Centre at Hillsdale, Stockland Balgowlah (formerly Totem) and Top Ryde City. Some residential complexes have integrated a shopping centre or retail space into their developments including Central Park Mall at Broadway (former Carlton & United Brewery site), East Village at Zetland and Lighthouse by Meriton at Dee Why.
The Rouse Hill Town Centre incorporates highrise apartments above the retail complex.
Scentre (owner of Westfield Shopping Centres) floated building six apartment towers above Westfield Hurstville in 2017 but has not progressed since.
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