Key takeaways from the Bisnow UK Retail Real Estate conference

Great panel discussions at the Bisnow UK Retail Real Estate conference this morning!

If you missed it, here are some key takeaways:

• The retail sector and consumers themselves are much more resilient than many expected. Footfall, spend and dwell time are all improving across a number of major schemes, while vacancy rates continue to fall.

• Retail destinations are increasingly mixed-use experience hubs. Successful schemes are giving consumers multiple reasons to visit, stay longer and come back again, not just shop.

• For anchor tenants, there is an increasing  trend for fewer but bigger and better stores. Flagship space remains critical for brands, with landlords actively amalgamating units to accommodate the likes of Primark and Uniqlo.

• Data is vital for leasing, investment and asset management decisions. The message was clear: collecting data is not enough, the winners are those using footfall, dwell time, spend and turnover insights to actively shape leasing and placemaking strategies.

• F&B, leisure, wellness and competitive socialising continue to drive growth and dwell time. Padel, wellness clinics, beauty, cultural events and experience-led retail were repeatedly highlighted as long-term trends rather than short-term post-Covid shifts. We were told by Canary Wharf Group's Stuart Fyfe that the three key words are: matcha, protein and padel! 

• Investor sentiment towards retail continues to improve. Capital is returning from REITs, US investors and private property companies, with lenders also becoming more supportive of the sector again. 

• ESG and decarbonisation remain firmly on the agenda, with landlords working collaboratively with occupiers to achieve net zero goals.

• Despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty and an increase in construction costs being recognised as very real challenges, there was an encouraging level of optimism across the panels.

• The key message is that retail succeeds when done with purpose. The question is no longer simply how to fill space, but how to create destinations where consumers genuinely want to spend time and come back again.

Great calibre of panel members and moderators: Louisa Butters Allan Lockhart Stephen Daniels Pablo Sueiras Richard Brown Stuart Fyfe Laura Thursfield Harriett Renny Kate Lea Jenni Matthews

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