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Bringing successful new businesses to a community is a complex, connection and time critical, endeavor. This process requires a community to develop connections, acquire real estate tools, identify and create a strategy, and spend valuable time navigating an unfamiliar industry. Before Retail Strategies was founded in 2011, communities who desired to attract new and vibrant retailers to their market had no other choice but to take on this endeavor alone or use consultants who provided them with research reports, a list of prospects, and limited guidance on whom to contact, what to say, and what to do over the 18-36 month deal making process to secure new businesses in their communities.

Retail Strategies was formed to give communities who desire new business the ability to have well connected, experience, and licensed retail real estate professionals aggressively identify and execute tailored strategies to attract new retailers to the market. Our team provides unparalleled service to communities, providing best in class data, real estate analysis, tailored and achievable strategies, and the on-going support to execute your vision.

Unlike other firms, we do not sign one year agreements and hand the ball off to you to navigate the deal making process. Instead we dedicate professionals to your community to create a long term partnership that the community can benefit from. Real Estate transactions take time, connections, and persistent effort. Through a multi-year partnership, we can properly vet opportunities on your behalf and bring new business out of the ground that will increase your local tax collections and benefit your community.

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Focus Trends~ Apparel

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FOCUS TRENDS is a monthly retail strategies article on a specific retail category highlighting growth and contraction within the market. For more on Apparel please listen to our APPAREL WEBINAR.

 

FOCUS TRENDS :: APPAREL

The apparel retail sector has taken over headlines over the past few months, but it’s mainly been big-name closures grabbing the spotlight. Retailers such as Rue21, Payless ShoeSource, Gap, The Limited, Bebe, and other have announced all or many of their locations will close. After rapid expansion, the apparel sector is entering a period of rapid contraction.

However, as these closures have spread, just as many apparel retailers have expanded and adopted future expansion plans that likely stems the tide of closures in the sector. Ross, T.J. Maxx, and Carter’s are a few retailers that look to be aggressive in their openings. There’s also the Millennial-driven retailers such as Uniqlo, H&M, and Lululemon that have ambitions to extend their physical presence.

The Numbers

The apparel sector is one that online shopping has completely transformed. While off-price and high-end retailers have remained afloat similar to the situation facing other retail sectors, the retailers in the middle without strong brand recognition and online presence have suffered during this time of flux. Communities should be wary of impending closures but not hopeless that other retailers can backfill former stores and help fill up new retail development.

Focus Trends Webinar

 

The Numbers

Expansion and Closure Numbers

Retailer Name Existing Stores 2016 New Stores Closures 2016
Burlington Coat Factory 558 49 10
Carter’s 609 55 2
CATO Fashions 1091 19 10
Charming Charlie 351 10 6
Marshalls 990 23 0
Nordstrom Rack 197 21 0
Ross Dress For Less 1318 84 6
T.J. Maxx 1150 48 13
H&M 510 68 7