Welcome!
"Sophisticated owners and investors realize the need for careful and thorough market research
and analysis in addressing ongoing marketing, leasing, repositioning and development
opportunities. Given the current dynamics of today's real estate market place, in-depth market analysis is particularly essential in order to maintain a competitive edge."
---Sally Walker Helwig, President, Helwig Associates
Market Update 2012
Most economists confirm that 2011 closed on a more positive note for
both the US
economy and the commercial real estate sector, as a whole. Job growth, core
retail sales and corporate profits showed steady improvements in 2011 over the
previous year. The labor market is on a gradual recovery trend consistent with
commercial occupancy levels and total retail sales in 2011.
- 2011
comparable chain store sales for the top 25 major US chain
stores, as reported and tracked by ICSC, rose 3.5 percent. The December sales gain masked widespread
unevenness in sales growth by retailer and by retail sector. Macy’s, TJX,
Limited, Ross Stores, Nordstrom and Saks experienced impressive sales,
while holiday sales were weak for Kmart, Sears, Gap, JC Penney and Kohl’s.
- US comparable
chain store sales in February, according to ICSC, witnessed an impressive
7 percent increase (compared to Feb. 2011). Despite this impressive
gain, sales growth has been uneven. The increasing price of oil and gas in
recent weeks will have a dampening affect on retail spending. If these
increases are prolonged, we can expect to see a negative economic impact.
- Consumer
spending and consumer behavior have and will continue to change over the
next three to five years. As social and mobile technologies continue to
experience rapid changes, consumer behavior will continue to evolve.
Internet shopping as a percent of total sales is increasing annually and
at the same time, shoppers are tightening their spending belts and
becoming much more price-conscious. Knowing
your shopper and his/her attitudes and spending behavior is absolutely
essential in marketing and planning a new or re-positioned a shopping
center.
Guarded
optimism for a gradual recovery is expected to stimulate retail sales and more
investing in the
coming year.
Helwig Associates is a Boston
area based market research firm, specializing in retail and mixed-use market analysis, consumer
research, repositioning and merchandising strategies for major developers, shopping center
owners, institutional investors, and lenders throughout the United States. We are well versed in evaluating all types of shopping center formats for our clients and determining the most effective strategy to increase the value of their holdings.
Helwig
Associates provides comprehensive retail market studies and merchandising strategies for all
types of shopping centers ranging from urban and suburban mixed-use developments, downtown shopping districts,
regional and community centers, grocery-anchored centers, lifestyle centers and university-related retail developments.
We invite you to take a look around our website and then contact us and talk to us about your needs. We are here to assist you in your planning and decision making.
