The out-of-town retail sector, covering retail parks through to stand-alone units, now represents a substantial part of the overall retail market. For many years this market has been a top performer when compared to other property classes producing excellent returns for property-owners. Many retailers who have traded exclusively from out of town locations have also benefited and expanded to become household names.

For more than 15 years Colliers CRE has been at the forefront of this sector with an integrated team of specialists encompassing all property-related elements from investment, leasing and development through to asset and property management, rent review and planning.

Our team works closely with a number of prominent landlords and retailers, identifying opportunities for growth and increased returns, as well as ensuring that properties are managed efficiently, health & safety issues are correctly addressed and providing budgeting and cashflow advice.  Working with our varied client base provides us with extensive market knowledge, which is essential in this fast-moving sector.

Leasing and Development

When working with retail park-owners, our team focuses on increasing returns and capital values through continual reassessment of tenant mix and identification of opportunities for further development, refurbishment or alteration. Our focus is on increasing rents to underpin the rent review process. Our rent review work is undertaken exclusively for landlords so that we avoid any compromise in the arguments.

We also advise on new development, covering all aspects from site identification, design issues, funding, project management and leasing strategy. Out of town development, whether on a large retail park or a simple extension, is increasingly in conflict over planning. The teams expertise in retail park development combined with retail planning specialists in the planning team frequently combine their skills to provide more comprehensive advice.

Our out-of-town team is retained by a number of major retailers whom we help to formulate strategies for expansion or consolidation and to carry out individual transactions.

Management   

Our management specialists provide landlords with a range of services and these can be combined to provide a package tailored to individual clients. As well as the day-to-day care of properties and rent and service charge collection, we are frequently asked to provide comprehensive demographic and catchment analysis on schemes, cashflow forecasts and other financial management tools.

Our management team also includes experts who will ensure that our clients’ buildings comply with current Health & Safety, Quality Assurance and other relevant standards.

Investment

Our continuous involvement with a large number of both retailers and investors means that we identify opportunities for acquisition or disposal at an early stage. As well as single acquisitions and disposals, we can review or create strategies for out-of-town retail portfolio investment. It is the investment area of the market that benefits most from our specialist integrated team. Our advice can extend to indirect property investment initiatives and expanding vehicles, such as limited partnerships.

Our service includes analysis of investment performance, as well as strategic reviews of individual properties or retail parks, including detailed financial reporting and cashflow forecasting, using IRR modelling techniques.

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