COVID presented retail owners and operators with extraordinary challenges, as well as exciting new opportunities. One unexpected benefit stemming from the pandemic is the advent of activated outdoor spaces. Restaurants arranged seating areas in their parking lot or on sidewalks around their establishment where diners could enjoy a meal out without concern, while retailers brought merchandise outside for customers to browse and purchase. These trends have remained even after the pandemic has ended due to consumer preference for outdoor solutions in daily life.
Beautifully designed outdoor spaces provide a wealth of value for commercial property stakeholders by breathing new life into retail centers and transforming them into places people want to visit again and again. Here are some tips on how retail owners can capitalize on this fresh territory:
Create central gathering spaces – Retail stakeholders can incorporate these outdoor central gathering spaces in front of or within their centers to draw potential customers; The Veranda , a 375,000 square-foot destination center located in Concord, CA features an eye-catching musical fountain surrounded by food & beverage tenants that serves as its focal point; Shaded areas with comfortable seating, fire pits & plenty of room for purchases also make ideal gathering places at any center
Provide engaging programming – Outdoor entertainment introduces an exciting element into any retail center; Music series’, cooking demonstrations & crafts/activities all rejuvenate destination’s outdoors space while providing ways to attract customers regularly (e.g., Renaissance at Colony Park ‘s spectacular show fountain provides guests with unique visual/concert experience)
Make it look attractive – Brilliantly colored landscaping elements such as lighting fixtures add attractiveness factor that cannot be replicated online (e..g., Downtown Summerlin offers several water features including illuminated 35ft bronze sculpture ending 100ft long kidney shaped pond)
Incorporating attractive elements like these encourages visitorship which leads more sales & ROI over time – making use of great outdoors seems here indefinitely!
