PERSONAL COMMENTARIES OF PLACEMAKING EXPERTS
“We recognize that the traditional model for urban malls needs to evolve in the face of shifts in consumer habits, e-commerce growth, new technologies, urbanization, declining use of private transportation, and a localization of demand towards accessible services and environmental sustainability.”
“Many people believe that commercial real estate projects should learn from theme parks and build upon the concept by planning events and other activities that make them even more of a destination than before.”
“The retail sector needs to act now to show it is committed to a ‘green recovery’ from the pandemic and to demonstrate to customers, supply chains, investors, and other stakeholders that sustainability plays a core role in its business strategy.”
“In the most extreme examples, the projects include conversions of mall properties to become partial warehouses for e-commerce fulfilment.”
Bigger leaps are being taken to lift us out of this pandemic. We still have a long way to go, the path ahead will be rocky, and the load we must carry is heavy. However, not everyone should expect the party to begin once we make our way out of the darkness. The beat of the drum and the rhythm of the song have changed.
“Without the physical aspect of real estate, you cannot obtain the same engagement, fulfilment, or experience: It is simply not as effective.”
Retail has changed. Do you really understand how things currently work or how they will work in the future? Are you still waiting for everything to go back to “the way it used to be”?
The real estate business is not a sport but there are many similarities. Fair play, progress through training, new methodologies, competition, success (and failure), injuries and recovery, awards, fame etc.
“According to a study by Simon-Kucher & Partners, customers miss brick-and-mortar retail, with 90% of respondents indicating that they are looking forward to being able to visit local stores again once the lockdown has been lifted.”
“While the pandemic rages on, the climate crisis remains ever-present.”
The pandemic has turned the world’s economy and the retail landscape on its head. For the retail sector it has been a year like no other, but it is becoming clear that the health crisis has impacted the industry at different degrees. Although outlet centres are not immune to the pandemic’s toll, they have recovered at a much faster pace than other retail formats when restrictions were eased or lifted.
The building sector is crucial for achieving the EU's energy and environmental goals.
“We continue to look forward with confidence, especially in regard to our future developments.”
“Incorporating the latest trends and changes in shopping behavior in our managed outlets centers, they will be back stronger, driven by innovative glocal marketing.”
“How internet-proof outlet centers have adapted to the pandemic to support ever-changing retail habits.”
“Many operators can still look to outlet as a strong, robust proposition for trialing their products, clearing old stock, accessing high levels of footfall and testing multi-channel retailing in attractive locations.”
“We know that flexibility, and therefore, shorter leases are very much what tenants are looking for today.”
“Our target for our respective clients is to deliver 10% of all sales at the shopping center through the digital marketplace within three years.”
“The challenge in 2021 is to get back to business at a full speed, understanding that unemployment has gone up considerably in some countries, that the power spend of our customers might have suffered and that, disappointingly but not surprisingly, too many governments in this world do not seem to have control over the pandemic situation.”
“Placemaking is a process. It is a means to an end: The creation of quality places.”
