Markets

Can retail parks continue to thrive in hard times?

By Graham Parker2018-10-11T23:00:00

Toys R Us closed down

Source: Shutterstock / Sasa Wick

Some are negative about the sector, while others believe it will survive the e-commerce effect better than in-town retail. Graham Parker asks who’s right.

Some believe the sector is going to fall victim to the same forces that have destroyed confidence in in-town retail while others assert that is has defensive characteristics that will allow it to thrive in hard times. So who’s right?

Until this year, retail park vacancy rates were falling. Analysis by Trevor Wood Associates (TWA) shows that vacancy rates fell steadily from a peak of 10% at the end of the second quarter in 2013 to reach a low of just 4.9% at the end of 2017.

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