Retail rental market remains positive despite meagre growth: JLL
Rental growth remains positive but is below 2% across the JLL neighbourhood and sub-regional centre portfolios, according to JLL’s latest report.
This annual report highlights the retail market industry and the views of retail centres managers on how the retail industry is doing.
Annual rental growth in neighbourhood centres rose from 0.7% in June 2016 to 1.2% in December 2016.
Annual rental growth across the sub-regional centre portfolio declined slightly from 1.8% in June 2016 to 1.5% in December 2016.
However, a number of centre managers highlighted that many tenants had expectations of reduced rents and generous incentives at the end of their current lease term, citing alternative options in neighbouring centres should their expectations not be met.
Rental growth was mixed amongst JLL managed centres, with a third of centres experiencing a decline in average rents and the remaining two thirds reporting an increase.
Respondents were asked to compare the level of tenant enquiry over the last six months (to December 2016) with the previous six- month period (to June 2016).
Figure 4 highlights the “net balance” in enquiry levels between December 2011 and December 2016.
Tenant enquiry remained below the neutral 0.0% mark, with a net balance of -6.4% compared with -7.8% in June 2016.
This is the second survey in a row of negative results after four surveys where the net balance was in positive territory.
The results highlight a continued challenging market with relatively subdued tenant enquiry levels.
Overall, response was very similar to the previous Survey covering the six months to June 2016.
Most respondents indicated no change in enquiry levels in the second half of 2016.
Enquiry continues to be dominated by 'mum and dad' retailers, which reflects both the high number of neighbourhood centres within the centre managers’ survey and the cautious approach being taken by national chains to expansion.
As with recent surveys, the stand-out sectors continue to be food based retailers and casual leasing.
However, enquiry in these sectors has been stable with at least half the respondents stating that enquiry was moderate, strong, or very strong.
There is a slight improvement in enquiry levels in the discount variety sector.
Japanese groups such as Daiso have been active in this space.
