Asset enhancement is a key element for improving the shopping environment and service for customers and tenants, and for improving returns to unitholders. The communities we serve also benefit as our properties are enlivened, job opportunities created and more customers attracted to our centres for local shopping.
The enhancement of physical structures, trade mixes and customer services enables us to maximise the potential of our properties. In recent years, The Link has initiated a series of Asset Enhancement Initiatives (AEIs) in our shopping centres. To gauge shopper satisfaction levels after the implementation of AEIs, we have engaged independent consultants to conduct customer opinion surveys, with results showing dramatic increases in post-AEI customer satisfaction levels at many of our shopping centres, including Lok Fu Plaza, Wong Tai Sin Plaza, Tai Wo Plaza, Siu Sai Wan Plaza, Cheung Fat Plaza, Tin Yiu Plaza, Butterfly Plaza, and Wo Che Plaza. The survey conducted in FY 2011/2012 indicates that Lok Fu Plaza benefited from a 14% increase in visit frequency per month and a 27% rise in spending per month after AEIs.
As a result of this positive feedback, we have expanded the programme to more shopping centres, which are currently in various stages of renovation. Our aim is to enhance the business environment for tenants and customers by optimising the quality of the shopping centres and trade profiles, thus providing a wider range of shopping and dining choices. In addition, we provide upgrading and improvement works for barrier free access and fire safety provisions.