News, Uncategorized

Omnichannel: Creating Online and Offline Experiences for Customers

The way consumers shop has changed exponentially over the years. To no surprise, consumers are now shopping both online and offline. With the rise of e-commerce, the ability to obtain goods has grown significantly. Some brands choose to stay brick-and-mortar while some choose to stay strictly e-commerce. While sticking to one stream works for many, the best way to encapsulate a wider array of consumers is to create experiences both online and offline which is also known as omnichannel retailing.

What is omnichannel in regards to retail?

Omnichannel includes the sale of goods/service in both physical and digital means. For example, a clothing store has a physical location where people can shop as well as an online catalogue/website where they can make purchases as well. In essence, omnichannel is being wherever the customer is.

How can adopting an omnichannel model help retail shop owners?

With the growth of e-commerce becoming more and more prevalent, there have been many retailers who have been forced to close their doors due to their inability to compete with the convenience factor e-commerce shopping has. On the other hand, e-commerce lacks that in-person experience many look for. 

Omni-channel caters to those who want a convenient method of shopping and those who yearn for that in-person experience. The ability to cater to two different demographics can help retail owners increase their profit and reach significantly more consumers than they would sticking to one stream.

How can retail shop owners create a digital presence?

Creating a digital presence takes time, but is a well worth it process. Many retailers create (or hire someone to create) a catalogue-type website that displays all the products eligible to be sold online. Retail shop owners can connect this to social media, create digital ads, or promote it through their physical location.

Adopting an omnichannel model can help retail businesses increase their overall traffic and profit. It all comes down to analyzing whether the business can cater to the digital space and how it will and work for the other all betterment of the business.

Want to learn more about the omnichannel experience? Read on here!

by admin
News

Investment Portfolio: Protect What You Build

Building your investment portfolio takes an abundance of effort and time. Each investment, whether short-term or long-term poses significance to your overall portfolio and acts as a potential stream of income. Ergo, protecting your investment portfolio is just as important as building it. Most methods of protecting your portfolio are within reach and can be done internally. 

Here are a few key ways you can protect your investments and make the most out of them: 

Diversify your investments

Diversification of investments is imperative when it comes to protecting and building upon them. You’ve most likely heard the age-old phrase, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. This holds merit when it comes to investing. While a stream may prove to be financially beneficial, should any disruption arise, you could risk losing everything you put in. Diversifying your investments allows you to gain from various streams. Should one fall through the cracks, you won’t lose everything and your other investments could make up for any loses. 

Invest in hard assets

The type of streams you invest in play a huge role in their protection. While liquid assets allow you to have access to cash, it can make it easier to spend. Hard assets lock your investment in place meaning the money put forth is in the form of said investment and requires a lot more work to take out.

Real estate is a prime example of a hard asset. The money is locked in into a tangible asset which will grow profit from there. Although the cash is not easily accessible, the asset still falls under your name and overall net worth. Hard assets are a great method of generating income without the temptation of overspending. 

Keep income growth in mind

Generating income is the bread and butter of investments. Whether you are looking to generate high profits in a shorter time frame or you’re looking for a long-term investment, it’s important to understand the potential profit associated with your investments. Some may invest for the sake of wanting a share in a certain realm, but may not consider any cost margins or profit gain. 

If you are unsure about which realms can help you produce the most income, do your due diligence when it comes to research. Set a target goal of how much income you want your investments to produce on a monthly, quarterly, yearly, or overall basis and align your portfolio with that. Typically, the riskier the investment, the more income can be generated in a shorter time frame, however, there are a plethora of long term investments that can bring you in a high profit. 

Protection is key when it comes to making the most out of your investments. The better protected they are, the higher the potential for gain. 

 

Learn even more ways to protect your investment portfolio here: https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/6-simple-strategies-for-protecting-your-investment-portfolio

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What’s Behind The Rise of Luxury Shops In Canada?

Retail markets continue to thrive well into the year and there is no sign of them slowing down at any time. While certain niche markets may not be able to content, there are those that keep the industry afloat. One retail market in the retail sector is thriving despite the hardships it has faced in the last 12 months. 

The luxury retail market has been flourishing across Canada and consumers are receptive to this new wave. Take a walk in the downtown core of Vancouver or the hustle-and-bustle in the heart of Toronto and you will find a superfluous amount of luxury retailers. The luxury clothing sector, in particular, amasses for a large portion of success the retail markets are seeing. 

What is influencing this growth within the luxury retail market?

Canadians have proven to have an appreciation for European fashion which is most notably crafted by high-end designers. The appreciation accumulated from the fashion market overseas has seen vast success in Canadian markets. Canada boasts a high sense of trust when it comes to this market. While there are places scattered around the country to obtain counterfeit goods, law enforcement is working to eliminate them. The hefty price tags associated with luxury goods, the certificate of authenticity, and the overall atmosphere of a shop are key indicators that goods within are 100% authentic. 

Luxury goods are purchased for two reasons: high quality and social status. Certain luxury goods utilize materials of higher quality, increasing the longevity of the item, thus, being grounds for hiking up the price. Social status is also a major contributor to the growth of luxury good sales. Many believe boasting luxury goods entails and reiterates their wealth and status.

What areas are luxury retailers prevalent in?

Luxury retailers are strategic when it comes to their placement in order to optimize profit. Typically, luxury retailers will look at the jobs and average incomes in the surrounding neighbourhood where they are considering allocating their business. Luxury retailers are most prevalent in Affluent areas such as Bloor Street West, Yorkville Village, Yorkdale, and the downtown core of Vancouver City. 

Aside from affluent areas, luxury retail shops are also prominent in the downtown core of major cities. Because the downtown core of these popular cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Montreal) are hot spots for tourists, there is a greater probability to generate business with those foreign to the country. 

What does the future of luxury retailers in Canada look like?

Although the luxury market has had rough patches, it has continued to make an upward trajectory. As long as the demand remains high, luxury retailers will continue to dominate and make a substantial profit. With more luxury shops opening their doors all across Canada, it comes to no avail that there is certainly a high demand for these goods. This retail market speaks to, not only Canadian citizens but to tourists as well, who deem Canada as a safe and trustworthy place to purchase luxury goods. 

 

Want to learn more about the luxury retail market and real estate opportunities surrounding it? Read more here!

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Niche Businesses Paving the Way for Retailers

Toronto is a city full of diversity; from its people right down to its cuisine. With the increase of diverse immigrants flocking to Canada came an influx of new businesses, unbeknownst to Toronto at one point. One major proponent immigrants brought to Canada is the authentic cuisine of their native land. A popular cuisine that has made its way into the commercial scene in Toronto is Syrian food.

 

Those who made a new home from Syria to Canada have created unity with Canadians through their food. Many, however, face a few barriers – language being a major one – making it difficult to find work in this economy. Thus, many have resorted to opening their own businesses, selling their favourite native cuisine.

 

What can large and small retailers alike learn from foreigners?

 

Many retailers think on a grandeur scale, adhering to large trends and technological advancements to further heighten their business models. Tech disruptions and the decline of trends can be detrimental to this strategy. While everyone would like to develop a utilitarian approach and provide for the masses, there is opportunity barely uncovered in niches such as Syrian restaurants and markets.

 

When it comes to booming business, many don’t consider niche businesses to be at the forefront of profit generation, however, foreigners are proving there is substantial room for monetary gain within businesses that are authentic. These businesses typically have a base of extremely loyal customers who not only come back but bring in new crowds as well, creating even more revenue.

 

When it comes to investments in the commercial industries, retailers can take a note from foreign businesses that bring a touch of their old home to their new home. Many niche businesses remain in business for long periods of time due to the loyal customer base and curiosity of Canadians.

 

Learn more about the Syrian food trend in Toronto and how small businesses continue to flourish across the booming city: https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/retail-restaurants-refugees—syrian-food-trend-in-toronto

News

Big Developments Pour Into Smaller Manitoba Cities, Towns

Cheaper land and lower business operating costs are fueling increased demand for commercial real estate and new economic opportunities in smaller Manitoba communities outside of Winnipeg.

Richard Crenian, president of ReDev Properties, noted the trend in a recent blog post. In it, he said many CRE investors “are taking advantage of lower prices in once considered sleeper towns in Manitoba. Investors’ interest has specifically been concentrated on the outskirts of Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway.”

Crenian also singled out other communities such as Steinbach, Brandon, and Portage la Prairie, which have all attracted the interest of big players.

Availability of land and costs are key driving factors in the interest, Crenian told RENX in an interview. The story is similar to what’s happening in other areas of the country such as Balzac just outside of Calgary, municipalities outside Edmonton and many outlying communities in the Greater Toronto Area.

“People are going to all of these small places because it’s about affordability,” said Crenian.

by admin
News

With Big-Box Retailers Closing Shop, What’s to Come?

In the past few years, Canada has seen a plethora of large businesses close shop across the country. Businesses such as Target, Sears, Gymboree, and Payless have (or are currently) closed their doors due to lackluster profits generated in Canada. With that being said, these former big-box shops are now vacant lots that desired to be filled. Some of these lots have been filled while others still remain vacant.

The question dawning on the industry is – what has already filled these vacancies and what is yet to come?

 

Foreign Shop Owners

Taking a stroll through the mall or a commercial plaza, you may come across a Muji, Oomomo, or Uniqlo. These Japanese retail giants were not shy when it came to expanding their retail business to Canada. Shops, such as these, provide products once not readily available to Canadians or products Canadians had to wait for in regards to shipping. Since their migration to Canada, these shops have seen great success.

Beyond just the products, foreign shops offer a unique sense of diversity and culture. Canadians can engulf themselves in an atmosphere that was once not prevalent. The mix of a unique experience and new products readily available to Canadians has sufficiently increased and maintaining foot traffic to foreign businesses. The possibility of these and other foreign businesses continuing their expansion in Canada is highly probable.

 

Food Halls

Similar to foreign shops, food halls thrive off of the harmony between products and experience. Going out to eat continues to be an activity enjoyed by many, ergo, expanding on experience is imperative to increase traction. A successful indictment of a food hall came to Upper Canada Mall in recent years. Market & Co. filled the vacancy from what was once Target and has been thriving in the space. Market & Co. not only provides visitors with a place to eat, but a place to purchase items and immerse themselves in the world of cooking through various classes they offer.

Food halls do an exceptional job are attracting various demographics; foodies and shoppers, for example. Food halls also work on the online world, utilizing social media to draw in even more traffic. Whilst they aren’t seen in many places across Canada just yet, there is a great chance we will see a saturation of food halls filling vacancies in the near future.

Albeit, many vacancies have been filled, there are still huge lots looking for investors and businesses alike to do just that. Foreign shops and food halls have seen great success thus far and it would come to no surprise that these types of businesses will fill even more vacancies across Canada.

 

Learn more about how Canada plans on successfully filling large vacancies here: https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/successfully-filling-vacancy-with-foreign-shop-owners-and-food-halls

by admin
News

Canada’s Retail Sector: What’s Maintaining it’s Strong Presence in the Market?

Amidst the rise of e-commerce and the ability to purchase nearly everything via your smartphone or computer, many have shown concern when it comes to the retail market. While e-commerce provides a convenient means of obtaining consumer needs, the physical retail market possesses a plethora of attributes that keep consumer traffic running steady. Marcus and Millichap reported that in 2018, transactions online increased by 20% however, only 4% of the Canadian retail activity took a hit. The unique traits physical retail markets encompass contribute highly to their authority within the consumer market.

 

Experience

A major factor contributing to the continued success of retail shops is the consumer experience. The ability to physically interact with tangible means and various services bodes well with consumers. Retail stores, such as clothing shops, continue to see a high amount of consumer traffic; this can be correlated to the desire for consumers to try-on clothing and browse various outlets.

Service-oriented businesses providing services such as fitness centres and restaurants thrive due to the desire for a memorable experience that cannot be obtained through digital means. The ability to create an experience and explore tangible elements continues to be a strong point for the Canadian retail market.

 

High-end markets

Canada’s retail real estate market continues to thrive when it comes to high-end sales. While luxury goods can be obtained online, many looking to spend copious amounts of money on a product or service would rather do so in person to ensure they are getting their moneys’ worth. The wave of tourism in Canada also contributes to the influx of luxury goods purchased in Canada. Marcus and Millichap reported a 2.4% rise in luxury expenditures in relation to tourism within Canada in the third quarter of 2018. For those in the high-end retail market, the sales continue to grow thanks to the boom of tourism and the demand for luxury products.

 

Moving into 2019, the forecast predicts favourable outcomes for retail real estate investors. Albeit, the growth of e-commerce is moving rapidly, the plethora of attributes retail shops provide to consumers can ensure their place within the realm of shopping remains at a high.

Learn more about Canada’s retail sector growth here: https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/canadian-retail-sector-shows-strength

News

Cannabis Retails and Consumers Rejoice as Legal Shops Open for Business

October 17th, 2018 marked a pivotal moment in Canadian history – cannabis became legal across the country. On April 1st of this year, that moment further ignited action as legal cannabis shops officially opened in Ontario; a long-awaited feat post-legalization. The sell of cannabis via brick-and-mortar won’t seize at just Ontario, as other provinces are now showing interest in opening up their own legal shops in the near future.

 

The process for obtaining licensing to open said shops came through as unorthodox with the government issuing licenses via lottery as opposed to reviewing requirements. Albeit, those who were granted a license were subject to a deadline of April first with monetary ramifications should they fail to comply with the set deadline.

 

The first cannabis shop to open was the Hunny Pot located in Toronto. The success of the launch was seemingly unmeasurable as demand flooded in and lines remained extensive even days after. The demand, however, has grown astronomically and supply remains a contingency when it comes to the sell of cannabis. With that being said, supply is not just an issue when it comes to brick-and-mortar; medicinal and online suppliers are still working to meant the demands of the market.

 

Although supplies may run low, the growth of retail cannabis shop will continue and with just a minute number of shops already open, their level of success in the market has been a determining factor in the overall success of brick-and-mortar cannabis shops. What makes these physical retail shops favourable amongst consumers? These shops allow cannabis users to obtain physical knowledge of various strains. Although online markets are popular, the physical element derived from these shops gives a more authentic and engaging experience for those purchasing cannabis.

 

What does the future look like for retail cannabis shop?

 

It’s still too early in the game to know just what the future of these physical retail shops looks like, however, their success in such a short period is telling. The ability to legally purchase cannabis from a tangible source is a key factor these retail shops embody. For owners of these shops, their investments in commercial real estate are beyond wise; catering to a large market across the province. Provided supply can always be met, it’s safe to say that success seems undeniable for these retailers.

Learn more about retail cannabis shops and their expansions across Canada here: https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/ontario-cannabis-retailers-are-now-opened-for-business

News, Uncategorized

Commercial Property Investments Show No Signs of Slowing Down in Canada

Canada is home to a multifarious of opportunities in the commercial property investment sector. From the suburban portions that boast significantly lower costs to the heart of major cities that boast convenience for consumers, there is something for everyone when it comes to commercial property investments.

 

Towards the end of 2018, commercial property investments were still running strong and 2019 is set to be a prime year for investors in the space. Despite the departure of a surfeit of massive brick-and-mortar chains, the demand for retail, industrial, and other commercial properties remains high. With the demand for these spaces remaining high, the supply is low; causing an uproar in competition and pricing.

 

Cities such as Toronto tend to be the safest for investment funds due to the diverse economy the city boasts, however with that being said, supply is especially low. Ergo, prices for commercial real estate are significantly higher in Toronto and cities alike and properties tend to stay on the market for very short periods of time, with many jumping at the opportunity to own property in such a diverse city.

 

On the other hand, places such as Alberta are seeing an intense increase in investments, mainly due to the affordability in the market when compared to larger, more dense areas such as Toronto. This back the motion that the commercial property market is not slowing down any time soon; people will continue to invest in prime real estate, whether it be in the big city or the reasonably priced outskirts.

 

What’s the forecast for retail investments in Canada?

 

As previously mentioned, the commercial real estate market is showing no signs of slowing down and growth is inevitable as we move further into 2019. The retail markets, in particular, are showing vast growth due to the possession of in-person customer experience that many individuals still look for when shopping. Tech sectors are also seeing continuous growth and account for a significant amount of commercial property investments.

 

The trends for 2019 are looking up when it comes to commercial real estate as more and more people are seeing the opportunities arising from Canada.

 

Read more about commercial property investments and their place in the Canadian market here: https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/investment-in-commercial-property-strengthens-in-canada-

by admin
News, Uncategorized

Commercial Real Estate Shows Little Fear with Talks of Recession Appearing

Towards the end of 2018, we saw a slow down in US GDP which has had its share of ramifications on a grandeur scale. These numbers could be an indication of a potential recession heading to Canada. For a surfeit of industries, a recession can vastly impact their market, causing significant loses. Ergo, key planning is vital.

 

Recessions impact every market differently. There are those that are swept away by the quick current of financial demise and there are those that are heavily insulated; showing little to no slow down. The tech sector and smart retailers are among the heavily insulated industries, boasting little impact in regards to the former great recession. What does this mean for commercial real estate investors and tech sectors alike?

 

Granting all of this, these industries are comprised of traits that can keep them afloat through a financial crisis. Well-positioned commercial property owners, specifically, can see little to fear yet again should another recession arise. A plethora of retailers are beating out analysts’ forecasts. Loblaws is a prime example of a commercial retailer thriving with increases in both revenue and net profit. The harmonious merge with a tech team has allowed them to grow without compromising their physical stature.

 

Another key component that commercial real estate possesses is physicality. Although consumers can purchase pretty much anything online nowadays, there is still an enticing aspect of taking a trip to the local shop. Service plays a major role in this, with a majority of shoppers returning to brick-and-mortar places for the personable service offered. In sum, despite growth in e-commerce, commercial real estate is still thriving and through a global financial crisis, they still reign as heavy-hitting contenders.

 

Read more about how Canadian Commercial Real Estate is withstanding the test of global and economic issues: https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/technology-smart-retailers-insulating-canadian-commercial-property