It’s time to get creative

It may be a challenging time in retail, but it’s certainly the best time for the more ambitious retailer to acquire shops. And the market is changing. Retailers’ requirements listings on, and enquiries through, our sister site PropertyRequirements.com are at the highest levels for 18 months and our agency clients are reporting a marked increase in activity since the summer.

Those retailers that are weathering the storm, and are planning expansion, can reap the benefits. Landlords have largely already recognised the need for greater flexibility and creativity in order to fill their void units. The high vacancy rates we’re seeing on shopping centres mean that even independent retailers can secure quality pitches and flexible deals.

Landlords and agents need to be equally creative when it comes to marketing these opportunities to retailers in a crowded market, particularly when there is a limited budget. Online marketing is one effective and cost-efficient method of achieving this as it can provide retailers with what they need to make informed decisions on property acquisitions.

Providing detailed and comprehensive information not only improves the quality of enquiries, but accelerates transactions and can result in a better deal - even in the present climate.

Dominic Millar is managing director of Squeeze/CompletelyRetail.co.uk