Omnichannel Strategies Driving Greater China Retail Realty

The pandemic has accelerated the shift to omnichannel retailing, with a recent survey of retailers by CBRE finding that more than two-thirds of respondents plan to increase investment in online retailing and delivery apps in the coming years. The wider adoption of omnichannel strategies will continue to have a significant impact on the retail property market. Store network expansion will be led by omnichannel retailers, many of whom will command an advantage over traditional brick-and-mortar groups due to their more extensive supply chain capabilities and stronger in-store sales. CBRE expects the focus of brick-and-mortar stores to shift towards providing an experiential environment for shoppers to view and try products, rather than simply being a point of sale. Retailers are advised to allocate larger areas to product display and testing, while reducing the volume of space dedicated to cashiers.