Oahu retail mall
sales slump

Star-Bulletin staff

Major Oahu retail malls that depend on tourist traffic continued to experience big drops in business in June, while suburban shopping centers had mixed results.

Statewide retail sales were at at $1.405 billion for the month, down 3.2 percent from $1,452 billion in June 1997, according to state Department of Taxation records.

Here's a look at the major malls' results for June, the most recent month available, provided to the Star-Bulletin by the malls.

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: Sales fell about 29 percent, said Charlian Wright, marketing director.

She said this was primarily due to fewer tourists and the yen-dollar conversion rates which left Japanese shoppers with less money. Also store renovations and the closure of Spaghetti! Spaghetti! took its toll on the mall's monthly results.

"However, openings of Royal Gems International and J.J. Boutique of New York are attractive new additions to the center," Wright said. "We are also looking forward to the opening of Antonio's Steak, Ribs and Pasta before the end of this month."

Ala Moana Center: Sales dropped 21.8 percent, said Dwight Yoshimura, general manager.

"The local traffic and the westbound visitor traffic is strong but the devaluation of the Japanese yen has hurt sales," Yoshimura said.

"We are seeing more family-type shopping (for basic needs) and people waiting for sales opportunities."

Yoshimura said that the specialty wear and children's wear categories were "flat" in June but he considers that a positive sign considering the slow Hawaii economy.

On Sept 18, the new Neiman Marcus Hawaii store, with the Mariposa restaurant and Mermaid and Espresso bars, is scheduled to open at the mall.

Victoria Ward Centers: Sales rose 3 percent, said Valery O'Brien, managing director of marketing.

"We had our Father's Day promotion and the daddy-baby look-alike contest," O'Brien said. "And we had a lot of other activities in June."

Ward Centers, which include Ward Warehouse and Ward Centre, has been adding to its tenant mix lately. Native Books and Beautiful Things opened in August. Opening in July were: My Little Secret, featuring Hawaiian quilts; Spencer Gifts; and Hoelzel Fashions, with women's clothing.

Kahala Mall: Sales slipped .92 percent, said Laurie Hara, marketing director.

"We were basically flat," Hara said. "We had consistent traffic and with good promotions we're slowly making our way back to positive."

Those promotions included a fund raiser for Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii which raised $2,900, Hara said.

Pearlridge Center: Sales were up .6 percent, said Heidi DiEugenio, marketing manager.

She noted that the numbers of shoppers continued to be good, due in part to promotions.

"We keep adding to our community-based programs," DiEugenio said. "We started a Keiki Tuesday with free entertainment primarily for those of nursery age and we continued our Mall Walker program for people from Pali Momi Hospital and we had a Father's Day-Mothers Against Drunk Driving mini-golf event on the mall."

Windward Mall: Business rose 6.3 percent, said Sandi Oguma, marketing director.

"For the past four or five months, all of the apparel categories have been trending up," Oguma said.

Other top gainers in June were: home furnishings and appliances, up 31 percent; children's apparel, up 20 percent; and jewelry, up 17 percent.

Champ's Sports will open by the end of August, she said.