The Shopping Centre industry is driven by people. It’s the skills and expertise of the people that manage, develop and evolve shopping centres for their communities that creates this great industry. Shopping Centre News profiles a range of interesting people from the industry each week. This week we speak to Megan Abra who as the Retail Manager at Stockland Hervey Bay and Stockland Bundaberg, works very closely with retailers and says the collaboration between landlords and retailers has never been more important.
What is your current role and main responsibilities?
I am the Retail Manager for Stockland Hervey Bay and Stockland Bundaberg (hub management). In summary, my role involves the financial and strategic management of the assets along with developing and maintaining strong, effective and harmonious relationships with our retailers to maximise the performance of the centres.
How did you get into this industry?
Completely by accident. I went for a job interview straight out of school with a shopping centre management company (just for the experience), got the job, and then after seven months I moved out to one of the regional centres, and just continued to move up from there.
What do you love most about your job?
Retail is a very dynamic industry which keeps you on your toes, plus no day is ever the same in a shopping centre. I would get very bored doing the same thing day in day out. Also, you get to meet some very inspiring retailers – people who have built a successful business from the ground up.
What do you like least about your job?
When a local business is not achieving the result they hoped for. Part of my role is to work very closely with our retailers and develop strong relationships. When you watch someone put their heart and soul into a business with a disappointing outcome, that can be tough.
How can landlords and retailers work together better?
The collaboration between landlords and retailers has never been more important as the industry reaches a turning point – strong relationships is key. Your retailers need to know who you are and see you on the floor. Make time to speak to them, it is so important.
Stockland Hervey Bay
What is your most memorable moment of your career?
Opening the Stockland Hervey Bay development in 2014 – our customers had been promised a development by the previous shopping centre owners since 2007, and it was exciting to deliver the largest shopping centre between the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton.
What’s three words that describe you?
Determined, enthusiastic and adaptable.
How do I keep learning and growing in my career?
I try to surround myself with people who work completely different to me and use that to challenge myself to think outside of my role – I am quite structured and not very creative so I like to bounce off people who have strength in those areas.
What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry?
Be prepared to work very hard and be open to everything.
Stockland Bundaberg
Have you worked in another industry and then come back to shopping centres?
Kind of – for a few years I worked as a Commercial Executive for Gold Coast Airport managing all the non-aeronautical revenue. Basically a shopping centre with a runway. Very cool.
What motivates you?
I love a challenge and retail is definitely a challenging market and industry… Oh, and coffee. Coffee motivates me A LOT.
What do you do in your leisure time to de-stress?
Trail running – great for stress relief.
Did you think you would end up in the role you are in now?
No – I was always planning on becoming a flight attendant… Obviously I went a little off track.
Do you like shopping?
Yes… But I’d like it more if I didn’t have to budget…
Want to be featured in SCN? Contact Belinda Daly, belinda@shoppingcentrenews.com.au
