The soon-to-be-opened Publika, one of the nation’s most innovative retail destinations, held the first of a series of seminars for the benefit of its retailers. The seminar, which featured American professor Dale Achabal, is part of Publika’s efforts to create value for retailers to ensure that they are equipped with knowledge for business success.

Entitled “Keys to High Performance Retailing”, the seminar focused on empowering businesses through the understanding of current and future retail industry trends.

“Retailers today need to find creative solutions and channels to keep up with the modern consumer who is more knowledgeable and discerning,” said Greg Bain, Communications Director of Home Treasures, a furniture/interior decoration retailer.

When fully operational in the second part of 2011, Publika would create a living art and cultural hub, not in a gallery but in a public space where people can add art to their leisure activity or be exposed to art by just being in an environment where art thrives.

Publika also introduced Ben’s Independent Grocer (BIG) as its anchor tenant, and Food Culture, a spacious Shanghai-inspired food court. Other lifestyle retailers are British India, Just B, Monocle, Rakuzen, Marmalade, San Francisco Coffee, Overtime, Ichiban Boshi, Caring Pharmacy and Hallmark.

Publika, with approximately 230 retail lots, is also home to MAP, the arts and cultural platform that serves as a meeting point between artists and the public. MAP’s facilities include White Box, an open exhibition gallery for art and fashion showcases, as well as Black Box, a 200-seat experimental theater for staging of plays and recitals.

Publika is part of the 17-acre integrated development in Dutamas comprising Grade A office tower, office suites, shop-office lots and designer residence suites.