RetailSource: Retail Design, Construction and Visual Merchandising » jobs http://www.retailsource.com Retail Design, Construction and Visual Merchandising Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:57:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Retail Construction Lags Retail Employment http://www.retailsource.com/2010/02/09/retail-construction-lags-gains-in-retail-employment/ http://www.retailsource.com/2010/02/09/retail-construction-lags-gains-in-retail-employment/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:24:21 +0000 njohnson http://www.retailsource.com/wp1/?p=90 Retail construction continues to stagnate and slow even as overall natioinal employment, and retail jobs in particular, begin to improve.  Crains Chicago Business reports a 25 year low in retail construction activity.  The report focuses on retail mall development, highlighting the recent transfer to receivership of the Block 37 mall project, however it is unclear if  smaller non-mall [Read More]]]> Retail construction continues to stagnate and slow even as overall natioinal employment, and retail jobs in particular, begin to improve.  Crains Chicago Business reports a 25 year low in retail construction activity.  The report focuses on retail mall development, highlighting the recent transfer to receivership of the Block 37 mall project, however it is unclear if  smaller non-mall development and single site storefront retail activity is factored into the report.  Downtown, urban retail may not be suffering to the same extent as suburban mall developments.

Even as retail construction continues to falter, retail employment has finally begun to improve.  The U.S. Department of Labor reports job losses are slowing down.  While the U.S. economy lost 22,000 jobs overall to start 2010, the retail industry added 42,100 jobs in January.  Apparel, grocery and electronics lead the way with hardware and building supplies trailing.

Retail Architectural firms continue to struggle with a contraction of billing for retail design services which began in 2008. A recent AIA survey based on information gleaned from their membership, Moody’s, McGraw Hill, and others, suggests a 2010 decline in retail construction of over 17%. This compares to an overall 13% decline for all non-residential construction.  Improvement of 1.8 percent is predicted for 2011 but details for the retail industry were not broken out. Once again it is difficult to determine if these statistics include small retail infill and tenent improvements or only development projects.

Some indicators point to overall economic improvement in 2010 but both residential and non-residential construction typically lag emplyment and general economic recovery.  Is February too soon to start looking forward to next year?

]]> http://www.retailsource.com/2010/02/09/retail-construction-lags-gains-in-retail-employment/feed/ 1 Retail Space and Retailing in Seattle http://www.retailsource.com/2010/02/09/retail-space-and-retailing-in-seattle/ http://www.retailsource.com/2010/02/09/retail-space-and-retailing-in-seattle/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:01:25 +0000 njohnson http://www.retailsource.com/wp1/?p=76 The always engaging and informative KUOW Weekday program, hosted by Steve Scher explores the current state of Seattle’s commercial real estate environment with a focus on storefront retail.

Our neighborhoods are full of empty storefronts and office buildings. Stalled development projects have left holes in the ground. How is commercial real estate fairing? Will developers be [Read More]]]> The always engaging and informative KUOW Weekday program, hosted by Steve Scher explores the current state of Seattle’s commercial real estate environment with a focus on storefront retail.

Our neighborhoods are full of empty storefronts and office buildings. Stalled development projects have left holes in the ground. How is commercial real estate fairing? Will developers be able secure loans for pending projects? How can they attract tenants for existing buildings? How are empty spaces changing where we live? What small businesses would improve your neighborhood?

Of particular interest is the input from Brian Surratt,  development director of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development. He discusses several programs the city is actively implementing to provide loans, funding and support services to small and micro business including retailers.  If you are a retailer in Seattle you should catch this program. Listen to the podcast or stream it here.

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