GO Outdoors, the UK’s largest outdoor retailer, has launched its new flagship superstore at Town Centre Securities’ Urban Exchange retail scheme in Manchester.

Since the recession hit, many retailers have struggled to stay afloat causing a new wave of disputes between landlords and tenants. This is creating an increased workload for the legal profession.

Technology has moved on a long way in the two decades since Shopping Centre was launched, and it has changed the face of shopping, finds Sean Kelly

Customer service can’t be done by numbers, finds Howard Morgan, after a poor onion soup and an even poorer response from the restaurateur.

Since the recession hit, changes in society have affected how consumers view brands. With a revival of post-war ideals, economy and childlike experiences, people’s lifestyles are changing – but what does that mean for future marketing campaigns?

There are approximately 10 million disabled people in Great Britain covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, representing around 18 per cent of the population. The estimated annual purchasing power of people with disabilities is £80 billion.

When One New Change opened on October 28, it broke barriers in a number of ways. As well as being one of the few retail destinations to open in 2010 and a first for the City of London, it’s also paving the way for the possibilities of public realm with the opening of its roof terrace.

What do shoppers say? Exclusive research shows the power of the internet in influencing shopper behaviour.

The UK National Index decreased by -2.3 per cent in March versus 2010, which is so far the biggest monthly year-on-year drop seen this year. 

UK retail sales values were down 1.9 per cent on a total basis from March 2010, when sales had risen 6.6 per cent, boosted by Good Friday and Easter Saturday falling in the March trading period.

Landlords and retailers will need to work together to minimise the impact of
multi-channel retail, according to new research from Deloitte

With shop vacancies rising inexorably, could charity shops help plug the gap?

Retail property has become more international thanks partly to the annual Mapic show in Cannes

Customer traffic is the lifeblood of any retail or shopping centre destination and in the two past decades footfall measurement has not only taken root but has evolved into a major service. Sean Kelly investigates the evolution of customer counting systems

The Buttermarket opened on October 1 1992 and featured in the following month’s issue of Shopping Centre with the headline: Ipswitched on!

Phase III of the Harlequin opened on June 16 1992 adding 60 units to the scheme and facilitating major refits for the three main anchors.

Initiatives involving partnerships between shopping centre management and security teams and the police can have dramatic results in fighting retail crime.

2009 saw the National Index fall by -4.1 per cent in February and then 2010 experienced a marginal u-turn being up by +2.1 per cent. The -1.8 per cent year-on-year therefore seen in February 2011 perhaps seems somewhat of a counterbalance to the previous year’s performance.

The Rock in Bury, near Manchester, was one of the few retail schemes to open in 2010. Six months on it’s performing well and centre management are looking to the future.

Christmas has always been a time of goodwill and for shopping centres it can be a  great time to support community and charity projects, spreading festive joy while giving shoppers another reason to visit.

When it comes to a Christmas makeover, outdoor malls and retail parks require specialist solutions. And help is at hand.

Now in its seventh decade, the International Council of Shopping Centers has turned to speed dating.

Over the past 20 years the trend has been for shopping centres to get bigger and bigger.
Sean Kelly investigates the rise of the mega-mall.

Smartphone apps are opening up new marketing channels for retail destinations.

With smartphones like the iPhone and the BlackBerry on the rise, apps are fast becoming a precious marketing tool with centres up and down the country jostling to develop the best new software.

With more and more shopping centres turning to experiential activities to make an impact, Christmas is a great time to try out new and exciting ideas.

Shopping centres are waking up to the power of Facebook and Twitter as communications but they need to be handled with care.

When The Bentall Centre opened on November 2 1993, 80 per cent of the floor space was let or in solicitors hands.

With the US-based Victoria’s Secret due to make its UK debut in 2012, the lingerie market is due for a shake-up. And industry veteran Theo Paphitis has moved to steal a march on his US rival with the nationwide launch of his own brand, Boux Avenue.

Highcross is introducing a new ‘High Priority’ programme, which rewards shoppers with exclusive offers, VIP events and insider news throughout the year.

Shoppers got busy with bricks at Beaumont shopping centre when they tried their hands at construction skills, helped by apprentices from the National Construction Academy in Leicester.

Richard Akers has taken over as president of the retail property trade body BCSC, and his year in office comes at an especially challenging time for his main role, as managing director of the retail portfolio at Land Securities.

To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week at the beginning of February, Bluewater celebrated the success of its ground-breaking apprenticeship scheme.

With a wealth of different decorations, designs, displays and decisions, choosing a theme for Christmas can be a stressful and time-consuming experience. Here, some of the industry’s leading suppliers give their views and advice on the trends for the 2011 festive season.

Over the past 20 years retail has become the defining force in shaping the UK's towns and cities, writes Sean Kelly

The Galleries in Bristol has just changed hands again, as it tries to find a new niche in the shadow of the nearby Cabot Circus.

A £20m refurbishment by Capital Shopping Centres has helped the Bromley centre stand the test of time. And now it’s poised to thrive over the next 20 years

After a long gestation period The Shires finally began to fulfil its potential when it doubled in size and was rebranded as Highcross Leicester

In response to demand from retailers, shopping centre management and car park operators Samsung has introduced the SND-3080C a network dome combined with a customer counting tool for both security and marketing uses.   

The retail sector is the second biggest culprit of bad customer service according to a survey by YouGov.

Menswear brand Blue Inc has been expanding rapidly since it was acquired by Marlow Retail five years ago, and the retailer is on the acquisition trail again with 20 new stores

This month Capital Shopping Centres formed a ‘Facilities Alliance’ with two suppliers to provide hard and soft services across its portfolio. How will this ground-breaking deal work?

Generating income from the mall is becoming more important but being pro-active about commercialisation management can be a challenge. According to King Sturge it’s all about strategy.

The Trafford Centre has become the first shopping centre in the UK to earn the prestigious Investors in People Gold award.

Security services for the Ropewalk Shopping Centre in Nuneaton have been newly-contracted to Leicester-based Premier.

The first quarter of the year is traditionally the toughest time for retailers, and corporate failures tend to be at their highest during the period. So what are the prospects for 2011?

Catering in shopping centres has grown considerably in recent years with managers realising the potential impact that a diverse food offer can have on shopper dwell times

Mall commercialisation has moved on considerably in the past 10-15 years and in the US where commercialisation activities are more advanced than here, RMUs are evolving into kiosks. But will the trend cross the pond?

Less than half of all organisations in the retail sector are using social media platforms to engage with customers, according to KenCall. The study found that only 42 per cent of retail companies were using social media to interact with customers, with 7 per cent engaging in communication via Facebook, and only 32 per cent using Twitter as a customer service tool.

Unibox have launched a high security sliding door system for their glass and aluminium display units.

Month-on-month growth for December 2010 is in-line with previous years at 19 per cent.

UK retail sales values were down 0.3 per cent on a like-for-like basis from December 2009, when sales had risen 4.2 per cent. On a total basis, sales were up 1.5 per cent against a 6.0 per cent increase in December 2009.

Studies show that up to 65 per cent of floor maintenance costs can be saved. So how can you keep your floors clean? And what can be done to get the maximum lifespan out of your flooring?

Information systems can make the most efficient use of available parking spaces, and improve the customer experience.

Land Securities’ Factory Outlets have beaten record sales in the final week of 2010.

Ivanhoe Cambridge has awarded Sutton Group FM the mechanical and engineering contract for Glasgow’s St. Enoch Centre.

The coldest December in 100 years may have grounded Britain’s transport to a halt but shoppers were still out in force on the high street, according to the BDO High Street Sales Tracker.