Case Studies
With the threat of COVID-19 still prevalent, Fortune REIT’s priority remains to provide a healthy and safe environment for shoppers, tenants, employees, Property Manager, as well as the communities it serves. The Manager works closely with the stakeholders of Fortune REIT to provide comfortable and safe spaces. Per the Asset Level Safety Policy, the Manager, acting through the Property Manager, has also engaged independent consultants to carry out periodic safety inspections as well as monitoring and inspections related to the environmental quality and safety of its buildings.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges, forcing many companies to innovate and step up their strategy and digitalization efforts. Through the use of robotics, IT solutions can reduce the amount of time spent on tedious tasks, eliminate human errors and protect employees from potential threats to their health and safety. To future-proof our business, Fortune REIT has embraced the development and utilization of new technologies, one such example is the introduction of the cleaning and disinfection robots, to maintain high levels of hygiene and comfort for our shoppers and tenants alike.
To minimise the risk of transmission under the COVID-19 pandemic, increased resources have been dedicated to cleaning and disinfection across Fortune Malls. Cleaning and disinfection robots had been rolled out across four Fortune Malls (+WOO, Fortune Metropolis, Laguna Plaza and Fortune City One) in 2022. Programmed with a cleaning map of the malls, the robot is able to run autonomously. The robot routinely sweeps and mops the floor, freeing up employees for other high-touch surfaces such as door handles, railings and elevator buttons that robots cannot yet tackle. Through its built-in sensors, the robot is able to avoid objects and people, and can generate a report after completion, analysing the time spent cleaning, the coverage area and cleaning efficiency.
The indoor air quality of the malls is vigilantly monitored, and 11 of 16 Fortune Malls are certified with Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme (Good Class), additionally all Fortune Malls are certified with the Anti-Epidemic Hygiene Measures Certification Scheme, to ensure a comfortable and safe experience for shoppers. Moreover, seven Fortune Malls received Gold Seals at the HKQAA Business Resilience & Community Contribution Awards 2021 in recognition of our efforts in combating the pandemic.
To support our tenants through the fifth wave of the pandemic, Fortune REIT has initiated a new round of rental concessions with priority granted to businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the HKSAR Government. Rental concessions were granted on a case-by-case basis to alleviate our tenants’ operating pressure while incentivising timely rent payment.
As the pandemic substantially subsided in April 2022 with most business activities resuming, the Manager boosted mall traffic and tenants’ sales through targeted marketing campaigns such as free parking as well as redemption of auspicious gifts and cash coupons to lure more shoppers to Fortune Malls. With Fortune Malls App celebrating its second anniversary in June 2022, the new Fortune Malls eVouchers were introduced to reward Fortune+ members and attracted new members to sign up. The App remains an integral tool for retaining and expanding the customer base and a means for Fortune Malls to push marketing campaigns effectively through another medium.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, split office arrangement was implemented in the Manager’s office, which enabled employees to reduce contact in a socially distanced work environment. Greater flexibility of work arrangement was also implemented so that employees could avoid peak travel hours in the morning and evening. On top of that, the Manager monitored the body temperature of its employees and provided employees with the adequate sanitizing equipment to ensure a healthy and safe work environment.
When the ferocity of the COVID-19 pandemic struck Hong Kong at the beginning of 2022, it inevitably changed the way how we live and work. Given Fortune REIT’s business nature as a mall operator, employees of the Property Managers serve as frontline workers were in contact with shoppers to Fortune Malls. To minimise the risk of transmission for our frontline workers, Fortune REIT responded promptly by putting in place action plans to address threats posed by COVID-19, including the donation of over 250 care packs to employees of the Property Manager and provided them with adequate sanitising equipment.
