Keppel Land officially opens refreshed i12 Katong retail mall

SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Keppel Land has officially unveiled a refreshed line-up of retail and lifestyle options at its East Coast shopping mall, i12 Katong. This follows a two-year asset enhancement programme that started in early 2020.

See also: Core Collective opens in i12 Katong, launches Singapore’s first medical co-working space Core Clinic

The property development group celebrated the official launch at a celebratory event on June 23. The official opening of the mall was officiated by Tan See Leng, minister for manpower, second minister for trade and industry. He is also an adviser to the People’s Association Marine Parade Grassroots Organisation.

Keppel Land say that the refreshed i12 Katong has been reimagined as a one-stop, smart lifestyle destination and a ‘living laboratory’ for a variety of new retail concepts. The shopping mall comprises over 150 retail brands and services, and more than 70 retail brands are new tenants. Anchor tenants include a CS Fresh, a Golden Village movie theater, and United World Preschool.

Keppel Land says that several tenants have yet to commence operations at the time of the official opening, but these are set to open progressively over the next few months.

One of the curated experiences within the shopping mall is Bistro Bytes, an F&B concept that was developed by Keppel Land. This fully automated omnichannel store front features automated lockers for shoppers to pick up their food, and as a central kitchen to have it delivered. Keppel Land says that this will help tenants reduce overhead expenses and mitigate the challenge of hiring service staff.

Another new concept is Pop Palette, a specially curated fashion and lifestyle zone that includes homegrown brand such as Anais An, J.Keyer, Rina Lee, The Kin Thread, and LIMS Legacy.

"Expectations of consumers are evolving rapidly, fuelled by growing digitalisation, new technologies, as well as increasing environmental consciousness," says Loh Chin Hua, CEO of Keppel Corp and chairman of Keppel Land. He adds that Keppel's vision for the future of retail harnesses the latest technologies and business models to create a more vibrant and immersive experience for tenants and visitors.

i12 Katong has also been refreshed to include some sustainable elements such as urban farming and energy- and water efficient features. According to a spokesperson from Keppel Land, they are working towards a Green Mark certification for the shopping mall by 2023. Other green features built into the shopping mall include a waste-recycling system and four electric vehicle chargers.