Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Issue link: https://sct.epubxp.com/i/436832
ith the global shopping center industry gearing up for the year ahead, SCT asked experts for their opinions on trends to track in 2015. For the most part, the nine trends that emerged represent accelerations of existing phenomena — such as the growth of fast-casual restaurants and the redevelopment of well-located properties. a few, however, do chart some relatively new territory: same-day delivery by malls and retailers, for one, is still in an experimental phase and by no means certain to become a permanent part of the business. likewise, relatively few malls and retailers have fully leveraged the advanced customer analytics now being made possible by tracking smartphone signals through Wi-Fi net- works, a strategy one analyst sees as a strong growth area. W NINE HOT TOPICS FOR 2015 experts pinpoint leading trends likely to shape the retail real estate industry in the CoMing year By Joel Groover J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5 / S C T 35 one common thread that wove through the interviews and research reports compiled for this report: a general sense of optimism. "property values have appreciated at a rapid pace this year, and values across all the major property sectors are now above the levels reached in '07," analysts at green street advisors wrote in a december report. indeed, with higher occupancy rates, rising rents, expanding retailer footprints, gains in employment and other improving fundamentals, the retail real estate industry can look forward to a buoyant 2015, experts say. the industry is all the more prepared for further growth, thanks to lessons learned during tougher times, says Kenneth s. gunn, director of u.K.-based Fsp retail business consultants. "developers have evolved to become adept at recognizing the right strategy for the right location," gunn said. he cites land securities group's 776,000-square- foot trinity leeds shopping center, which opened in March 2013. that property offers tenants such as apple, hol- lister, M&s;, next, primark, superdry and Victoria's secret, along with a multiscreen cinema, upscale restaurants and exclusive brands like the alchemist and cielo blanco. "this is in direct response to consumer demand for