shopping plazas Archives - The Official Blog of Richard Crenian

Media, News

Fast-Food Joints Eyeing The Canadian Market and All It’s Growth

What’s one thing that tourists and locals alike look for when they are out and about in the city? Food. Whether you are looking for something quick to eat or looking for an aesthetically pleasing meal, you will end up settling on a place to do so. Since food is such a popular medium for so many, major food chains have taken notice. Larger Canadian provinces such as Alberta and Ontario have become home or will become home to a plethora of major food chains that have seen success outside of the country.

Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A is a well knowing fast-food joint across the United States, third-largest to be exact. The company plans to expand that success further by opening up 100 new locations across Canada. Toronto, Ontario saw the opening of the first Canadian Chick-Fil-A. Despite the controversy surrounding the fast-food joint, many waited in line for hours to get their hands on the menu items.

Jollibee

Jollibee is an extremely popular fast-food joint originating from the Philippines. The food simultaneously acts as a comfort to those accustomed to the cuisine and a new experience for those looking to try something beyond what is typically offered. The success in the Philippino market has allowed Jollibee to extend well beyond the country. Today, Jollibee has more than a thousand restaurants across the globe.

Currently, there are six Jollibee locations in Canada, with talks of a new one opening up in Alberta in the near future. The success generated from this fast-food joint could be grounds for even more locations across the country.

In-N-Out Burger

Yet another popular food joint from the United States. In-N-Out is known for its burgers and animal style fries. While the other fast-food joints mentioned are making Canada their home, In-N-Out isn’t doing so just yet. In-N-Out is testing the market via a one-day pop-up shop in Aldergrove.

While the chain isn’t settling down in Canada right now, the move to test the Canadian market could mean plans for expansion are in the making.

Eataly

Eataly might not be as well-known outside of the American market, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a massive competitor. Eataly is an Italian-style food chain that mixes both in-house, restaurant-style dining as well as a grocery store that allows patrons to purchase the food and have it prepared in the dining area. The concept has been doing exponentially well in the U.S. and is expanding beyond the borders to Ontario.

There are many fast-food chains eyeing the Canadian market as it continues to grow both in size and popularity. Beyond these, we could see quite a few new food joints opening up in Canada.

Learn more here: https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/major-food-chains-coming-to-alberta-and-ontario

Media, News

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!

News

Adding Local Shopping Plazas To Investment Portfolios – Richard Crenian

Although direct investment in this asset class may float under the radar of many individual Canadian investors and families, it comes with many critical benefits. Those benefits may be even better for those getting in right now, given new investments in related enterprises and the strong demand for Canadian real estate from the investors around the world.

Yes there are many charities to support around the world. There are also nice-looking, cheap condos to retire to abroad. Yet, when it comes to investments and establishing a business why not do it close to home?

Canada’s shopping plaza outlook is positive, especially if Canadians continue to invest and support their local economies. As stated by provincial Alberta based grocery chain Freson, “there’s really nobody championing Alberta products, Alberta producers. We’re Albertan. We’ve been here for 63 years”. The Freson Bros. and other Canadian investors believe the outlook is bright for small businesses and home grown products, if their given the attention they deserve. That investment comes back to us in many ways, financially and in community.

Ask billionaire investor Sam Zell the secret to making money and smart financial moves. He’ll tell you it’s all about supply and demand. The world loves Canada, the investment opportunities and the future it offers. It only makes sense that we see that benefit from being involved in supplying the demand, and not just giving it all away. Foreign homebuyers just can’t get enough of our properties nor can commercial real estate investors. Even Peter Thiel’s new venture capital firm Atomic VC is focused on Canada and its talent with its investment in Terminal.

If there is one thing we all need, and will only need more of in the future (besides air and water) it is passive income. Too few investments offer reliable streams of truly passive income with good returns. Shopping plaza investments can offer the passive income that we need.

Commercial property investments in these assets are also great for facilitating wealth growth. This can be organic or controlled by redevelopment, improvements and smarter leasing and management.

Real estate is a hard, tangible asset. While global markets may boom and bust, and even individual assets may fluctuate in value over time, these properties have concrete value and income potential. In tough economic times local shopping plazas are typically the last to take the hit and first to bounce back. This can be critical for those looking for reliable retirement investments.