Retail property heartbeat looks strong

Trading density performance and growth at South African shopping centres in 2022 was the highest in four years, according to the Clur Shopping Centre Index.

The index is derived from The Clur Report, an asset management industry standard, tracking performance for listed and unlisted property funds at more than four million square metres of prime retail space in over 100 centres across SA and Namibia.

Despite the tough operating environment, the retail property heartbeat, backed by new leasing activity, looks strong, says Belinda Clur, managing director of Clur International which produces the index.

“Super-regional and regional shopping centres have maintained the highest trading density levels since mid-2018, when the Clur indices were introduced. Smaller centres show a consistent improvement. In 2022, super-regional centres showed the steepest climb in trading density levels,” she says.

“These major centres grew year-on-year trading density by 13,6% to R41 103/m2 in 2022, outperforming annual inflation by 6,7%. ?In particular, super-regional centres achieved trading density of R45 933/m2, a 17,7 % increase and outperformance of CPI by more than 10%. For the Clur index for all centres the growth was 11,5% to R39 155/m2, 4,6% better than CPI in 2022. Small regional and smaller centres grew trading density by 6,9%, on par with inflation, to R35 057/m2.”??????????????????????????????

Overall, the renaissance theme in retail property after the Covid-induced downturn, put forward by Clur in a presentation to the industry last year, continued in 2022, with a further growth surge in centre performance.

“Significantly, the trading density index for the combined November-December period for all centres was R52 841/m2, an increase of 9%.?The index for the rest of the year – January to October- was R36 372/m2, an increase of 12,3%.?This underscored a previously noted pattern of festive season business driving trading density levels with the rest of the year?boosting growth levels.

“These results highlight the extent of consumer support for physical retail space and the important role the sector plays in supporting communities as well as the economy. They also show that agility in response to shifting consumer dynamics and tailored tenant mixes are helping drive the improvements in trading densities.

“These factors are rewarding astute asset managers who recognise the fundamental differential has to be the experience that is offered within the bricks and mortar of the physical shopping centre.

“Moreover personal touch, and an important relationship economy, underpinned by excellent service, customer knowledge, thoughtfulness and philanthropy are increasingly to the fore as people value these aspects highly after isolation and ongoing hard times. “

Clur says new leasing activity suggests a shift from a survival to more of a lifestyle oriented tenant mix as the Covid-19 related hard rules and their dire implications become a distant memory.

“There’s been a distinct uptick and renewed confidence in apparel, with the segment taking up about a third of new lettings in terms of gross lettable area (GLA). ?Specific activity is seen in unisex wear, athleisure wear, shoes and men’s wear. Unisex wear outlet sizing shows a cautious approach, with stores smaller than 500m2 currently being dominant, and are often smaller than 250m2. Women’s wear stores show a conservative approach with most being below 250m2. “

The homeware, furniture and interior as well as hardware categories continue to be popular and see growth, with about 20% of new lettings GLA going to this segment, says Clur.

"There’s a specific focus on trendy kitchenware, décor inspired soft furnishings and lighting, beds and DIY.

“Speciality stores are a key theme, making up about 15% of recent lettings GLA, showing diversity across butchery, green grocers, oriental foods and spices, sweets and chocolates, tea and coffee specialists, pet stores, gifts, tobacconists, vape shops as well as toys.

“Food service also features prominently, with a diverse spread of mostly fast casual dining formats and fast food stores taking up about 10% of the new lettings GLA. These are more or less equally represented in terms of store numbers, with a GLA weighting toward fast casual dining.”?

Clur says department stores, at about 8% of new lettings GLA, have changed their form. Major discount department stores have gained traction in recent years, whilst traditional department stores are mostly being pared back to a more successful mini format.

“Health, wellness, beauty and grooming remains buoyant, contributing in the region of 7% to new lettings GLA.?

“An already strong technology sector continues to grow, with a number of smaller, but high-powered stores spanning cell phones, electronics and games. This sector typically yields one of the highest trading density and growth levels across categories.

“Banking, medical and convenience services play an ongoing important role, whilst the rest of the new lettings activity is peppered with accessories, jewellery, optometrists, sunglasses, books, stationery and some luggage stores.”

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