Did you know?
Contrary to the online shopping craze, 85% of consumers prefer to shop at a physical store. Timetrade found that:
- Consumers prefer brick and mortar stores
- In-store expertise drives purchase volume
- In-store purchasing preferences span generations
- Mobile purchasing
Shopping In-store
A major reason shoppers are still physically going in stores is because of the experience. When walking into the location, shoppers use their senses. They see the patterns, feel the fabrics, and smell the fragrance. It’s all about creating an experience. This doesn’t only fall on the retail tenant. It also falls on the landlord – making sure there is adequate parking, clean restrooms and welcoming common areas all play into the experience.
Ripen cited the reasons people shop in-store as opposed to online:
- Want items right away
- Protects privacy
- Save on shipping costs
- Easier returns
- See products in person
Think about how you shop. Do you plan a specific day and time to go to a specific store? Sure. Do you walk around a local shop after your date on Saturday night? Yes. You are taking part in impulse shopping – which is a large reason that retail locations are flourishing.
So what?
This is all good news for landlords, tenants and investors. More in-store shoppers mean more money in the tenant’s pockets. A building full of tenants means more money for the landlord. Successful landlords mean new investment properties.
It’s a ripple-down effect. In order to remain successful, all parties must keep up with the ever-changing industry. While name brand and national stores are closing, many retailers across the country are thriving. Through a mixture of tenants including discount retailers, service-oriented businesses and tech shops, commercial real estate is booming.
Warehouses
The explosion of e-commerce has benefited investors and landlords alike. All of those packages that are dropped off at shoppers’ doorsteps each day have to be packaged somewhere. Warehouses and packaging facilities are popping up all over the country. Texas specifically has seen growth in the area of warehouses due to an increase in online shopping.
The Houston Chronicle stated, “Commercial tenants in distribution and consumer goods leased more than 6.7 million square feet of space over the last two years in Houston, a 60 percent increase over the two years prior, real estate service firm JLL reports. Of 27 industrial facilities completed in Houston in the fourth quarter of 2016, 25 were warehouse and distribution spaces, according to market research by CBRE.”
Changes
- Commercial real estate properties are now including multiple tenants in their property instead of just one.
- Lease terms are evolving as the type of stores that come into the property are evolving. Month-to-month has become popular for pop-up shops.
- Knowing how people shop and why they shop that way is beneficial to everyone involved in commercial real estate.
- While e-commerce is continuing to grow, retailers are realizing the need for a physical location to please their customers and provide a pleasurable experience.
Being flexible and growing with the changes is essential. Call me to learn more about creating a unique commercial real estate lease that works for you.
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