We’ve talked before about the surprising downfall of big retail and restaurant chains and what causes one to fall from grace. Sometimes it’s a failure to keep up with the times that leads to customers losing interest (because a company simply doesn’t meet their needs any longer). Other times retail or restaurant chains suffer from an identity crisis, where they once knew who they were but now seem “brand confused” and are confusing their customer base too.

Topics: Improving Store Locations, Retail Industry

We’re just a week away from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Florida Conference & Deal Making in Orlando. The SiteSeer team will be there and we’d love to meet you!

Topics: ICSC, Landlord Rep Brokers & Owners Industry, Conferences, Communities Industry, Tenant Rep Brokers & Developers Industry, Site Selection Software

In the world of retail, it’s very common to see businesses that experience some success with one location make the (sometimes hasty) decision to add another (or several)—and for them to want to move quickly. Whether it’s a private company that has their sights set on growing and selling their business or a public company aiming to achieve growth goals, there are lots of reasons that companies want to grow.

Topics: Smart Retail Growth, Improving Store Locations, Retail Industry, Restaurant Industry

Anyone who knows us personally here at SiteSeer knows that many of our team members have worked for, and with, the grocery industry for many years. So, when the news came out recently that Amazon was seeking to acquire Whole Foods, we were intrigued and surprised.

Topics: Market Research, Data Study, Bricks and Mortar Retail, Retail Industry

As a developer, property owner, or commercial real estate broker, your goal is to have the lowest vacancy rates in your shopping centers as possible. Sometimes that’s easy, other times not so much. But in the ever-changing retail market, what about when a shopping center loses an anchor tenant that was the main attraction for the entire shopping center? What is the best way to attract a replacement tenant that will prevent smaller retailers in the center from experiencing a significant decline in business or choose to leave?

Topics: Retail Trade Area, Recruiting Shopping Center Tenants, Void Analysis, Demographic Data, Landlord Rep Brokers & Owners Industry, Tenant Rep Brokers & Developers Industry

We’re a week away from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) RECon, and we couldn’t be more excited. If you’re coming to ICSC May 21-24, don’t miss your chance to learn more about SiteSeer Professional in person. Our booth is N1124—stop by or schedule a meeting with us ahead of time.

Topics: ICSC, Landlord Rep Brokers & Owners Industry, Conferences, Tenant Rep Brokers & Developers Industry, Site Selection Software

All it takes is a quick Google search of “retailers closing” to discover news story after news story about retail chains large and small experiencing shrinking sales and closing locations. Yes, big chains like Macy’s, JCPenney, Sears/Kmart, Payless ShoeSource, and others have been shuttering stores. Some analysts and journalists have dubbed the last few years the “retailpocalypse” and are actively predicting the demise of brick-and-mortar retail. But is retail dying?  Let’s look at some of the reasons behind recent store closures to accurately answer that question.

Topics: Retail Data Analysis, Improving Store Locations, Omnichannel Retail, Bricks and Mortar Retail, Retail Industry

If you’re a franchise organization, you know well how important it is to understand the markets into which you are expanding so you can maximize your potential and increase sales. Too often, franchise concepts come to us when they have 20 franchised locations when it would have been better to implement a consistent strategy from the start. While the shotgun approach to franchise expansion might not cause problems for a while, developing a territory plan before you sell more franchises will ensure that you don’t limit your overall capacity for growth. In other words, taking a smart approach to franchise development will allow you to sell more successful franchises in the long run.

Topics: Retail Data Analysis, Smart Retail Growth, Market Data, Retail Industry, Franchise & Services Industry, Market Potential

Whether you’re launching a new retail or restaurant business or expanding your concept to open new sites, you know already that the location you choose is key to your success. But consider this stark fact: choosing the wrong location could lead to lost revenue that you never recoup and have a ripple effect across your chain—even if you have an attractive concept and a respected, established brand.

Topics: Retail Data Analysis, Building New Locations, Retail Industry, Retail Site Selection, Restaurant Industry

Retail site selection done right is all about using data to your advantage. If you’ve been largely successful in leasing vacant space, it probably means you have a good process in place to determine what retail and service gaps are missing in a trade area and fill those demands in your shopping center.

Topics: Retail Data Analysis, Retail Trade Area, Void Analysis, Landlord Rep Brokers & Owners Industry, Tenant Rep Brokers & Developers Industry, Market Potential