By Kiana Wilburg
Since its grand unveiling in July 2015, the Giftland Mall has become a cherished cornerstone of community life in Turkeyen. Renowned as the quintessential one-stop shopping paradise, it offers a sanctuary where families come together to strengthen bonds. The opportunities for this are greater during the Christmas season when the mall undergoes a magical metamorphosis. The Giftland Management casts aside the mall’s everyday corporate guise to embrace the splendor and wonder of Christmas. It’s a time when the mall becomes a spectacle of festive grandeur.
For the past nine years, the Christmas decorations have been breathtaking in its scope and detail. This year, visitors are treated to a mesmerizing array of Christmas decorations, from the majestic reindeers to the jolly figures of Santa Claus. Even Christmas trees, varying in shapes and sizes, stand proudly at various points with their branches adorned with glistening ornaments and/or swathed in delicate snow replicas that seem to whisper tales of winter wonderlands.
During a recent visit to the mall, Guyana Standard found many families enamoured by the festive ambiance. Parents and their children were seen pausing in their tracks, often stopping to snap photos against the backdrop of the mall’s splendid holiday décor. Other families were also seen delighting in sight of the giant candy canes suspended from the ceiling, which was covered in a sea of colourful lights. Overall, shoppers appeared pleased to be in a space that embodies the spirit of Christmas.
While at the mall, Guyana Standard also caught up with Roy Beepat, Chairman of Giftland Mall, who happily shared insights about his family’s passion for spreading the Christmas cheer.
Beepat said, “… Christmas is about goodwill and for me, it is the most wonderful time of the year. I look forward to it because we not only get to give back to our over 500 employees through profit sharing, but we also get to create a sense of community. We love to see the joy our customers get from this, and we put a lot of work into it.”
Beepat said planning for the Christmas season starts as early as May with the help of their talented designer Randy Fredericks. “He does a superb job every time. We work well together in blending our ideas…We really do this for the love of the people…When you see the people and their faces and how happy they are, it really brings us a lot of joy.”
Beepat also noted that the investment in creating a seasonal wonderland runs into the tens of millions. It’s an investment he thinks is worth every cent. From a business perspective, this would also prove to be wise since the holiday season is a peak time for retail, and an enchanting, visually appealing environment attracts more visitors. This increase in foot traffic naturally leads to higher sales, benefiting the mall’s tenants and, by extension, the mall’s overall revenue.
From a psychological standpoint, the Giftland Mall sets itself apart from other competitors especially during the Christmas season since families are able to experience a Christmas village while shopping. This creates lasting memories and emotional connection with the mall. In today’s competitive retail landscape, creating such experiential value is crucial for customer loyalty and brand differentiation.
By going all out with its Christmas decorations, the Giftland mall not only drives its success but cements its place as a cherished part of the Guyanese shopping tradition during the season.
This commitment to community, employees, and customer service will remain at the heart of what the Giftland brand represents, Beepat said. “It is because of this commitment that we hold a high standard for the operations of concessions in the mall. We even terminated certain leases in the mall when those standards are not being upheld…”
Beepat shared that he had cause to terminate leases as some concessionaires were found carrying products that are not
original. “We won’t encourage persons carrying anything fake and then trying to charge customers premium prices. That disgusts us,” said Beepat, who also abhors price gouging practices during the Christmas season.
He said customers can always look forward to well-priced quality good, as well as full exchange, refunds, and warranty on products. “And that in itself is a testimony to how we operate all year round,” Beepat said.
With 130 concessions in the mall, Beepat said shoppers can look forward to the addition of a KFC outlet being opened before the year’s end, along with a Starbucks branch next year. “Giftland is all about providing new concepts, evolving and becoming the best one-stop shopping location…All in keeping with our commitment to great customer service.”
Under the visionary leadership of Roy Beepat and his wife Monica, the Giftland Mall has truly transcended beyond being just a shopping destination; it has become a symbol of community, joy, and authentic celebration. With its expanding offerings, the Giftland Mall is poised to continue being a beloved destination, evolving with its customers and shaping the shopping experience in Guyana for years to come.
