News on 26 January 2001
As property costs rise and margins tighten, retailers
have been forced to look more closely at the role of property in their
business.
Trade newspaper Retail Week is launching a property forum to examine
these issues. The inaugural event will take place at the Brewery, London
on March 28th. Confirmed speakers include Arcadia retail and property
director Clem Constantine, who will speak on new partnerships emerging
between
landlords and tenants; Robin Bevan of Management Horizons Europe will
address the way changing consumer psychology is affecting demand for
retail floorspace; Martin Meech, managing director of Dixons' property
arm, will examine new strategies for retailers to maximise the value
of their properties; Mike McNamara of Ernst & Young will aim to
draw some lessons from Abbey National's property outsourcing exercise;
Vince Prior of Jones Lang LaSalle will look at locational strategies
for retailers.
Retail Week says new accounting standards will highlight the liability
of long-term rental commitments which could hit many companies' balance
sheets (see News story).“Every
retailer will have to devote more and more management time to finding
the appropriate solution to the inherent mismatch between property and
retailing.”
