COVID presented the retail sector with extraordinary challenges, but also opened up exciting new opportunities. One of these is the advent of activated outdoor spaces – restaurants arranging seating areas in their parking lot or on sidewalks for diners to enjoy a meal out without concern, and retailers bringing merchandise outside where customers can browse and pay for purchases. These trends have remained even after the pandemic has ended as consumers have come to like and depend on them in their daily lives.
Beautifully designed outdoor spaces offer commercial property stakeholders a wealth of value by breathing new life into retail centers that people want to visit again and again. Here are some tips from OTL Inc’s Vice President of Business Development Barry Caylor on how retail owners/operators can capitalize on this opportunity:
Create central gathering spaces – Retail stakeholders should incorporate these outdoor central gathering spaces at or within their centers to draw in potential customers; The Veranda (Concord, CA) features a centrally located musical fountain surrounded by food & beverage tenants which serves as an ideal spot for folks to gather with loved ones; Shaded areas with comfortable seating, fire pits & plenty room for shoppers’ items are other great ideas here too!
Provide engaging programming – Outdoor entertainment introduces an exciting element into any center; Music series’, cooking demonstrations & crafts/activities all provide ways attract customers regularly e.g., Renaissance at Colony Park (Ridgeland MS) boasts a spectacular show fountain providing guests w/a unique visual experience via cutting-edge audio lighting effects etc.;
Make it look attractive – An artfully designed shopping center provides visitors w/an unforgettable gorgeous experience they cannot get online behind screens e.g., Downtown Summerlin offers several water features including one featuring constant flow following trails kiln-formed Wavelet decorative glass plus orchestrated twists cascading down three sides illuminated 35ft bronze sculpture ending 100ft kidney shaped pond etc.; Such elements encourage people check out destination + revisit it!
Incorporating creative solutions such as those mentioned above will help drive foot traffic + sales while generating ROI over long term – something that both retailers + consumers alike will appreciate!
