Small retailers benefit from shopping centres, says ICSC
Published: 03 February, 2011
Small and independent retailers benefit from greater access to shoppers and increased footfall when they operate within shopping centres, according to Peter Wilhelm of the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) Europe Public Affairs Committee.
Wilhelm said: “There are an important number of small and independent retailers trading within shopping centres and they do so because of the increased footfall and opportunity to build their brand in an attractive, well-managed centre. Shopping centre asset managers welcome these retailers as they help to make a shopping centre’s offer more diverse and attractive.”
Wilhelm, also CEO of Belgium retail development company Wilhelm and Co, was speaking on behalf of the retail property and shopping centre industry at an Internal Market Committee round table debate on the EU retail market within the European Parliament.
The debate looked at the barriers to fair and efficient retail markets for consumers and businesses and gave stakeholders the opportunity to debate with members of the European Parliament.
Mr Wilhelm advocated for the removal of unfair barriers to retail development and for a better understanding of the significant commercial, economic and employment benefits retail developments bring to local communities.
