Report: Brick-and-Mortar Sites Still Key to Retail Success
As retail developers around the country invest millions in renovating properties to keep consumers coming back to stores, retailers are finding that their investment in brick-and-mortar locations has a way of boosting their online activity as well, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Despite reports of the demise of shopping centers, physical stores still generate 90.7% of all retail sales, according to the ICSC. And the opening of a new physical location results in an average increase to online traffic of 27%.
Expert Retailers Gather for the Southern California Idea Exchange
Brokers, developers, retailers and property managers will be among the attendees at the ICSC’s Southern California Idea Exchange Feb. 28 at the Anaheim Convention Center, where the topics will include the latest trends in retail and “how clicks-to-bricks digital concepts are making big impacts with their physical spaces.”
Meanwhile, a period of transformation for shopping malls has given rise to renovations, demolition and transitions of all sizes.
At Omega Enivironmental, we partner with developers, engineers, architects and others to ensure that such projects move forward without environmental issues that can leave projects mired in health and safety problems, regulatory road blocks and budget-destroying surprises.
Full Environmental Survey Needed for Renovations and Demolitions
A full environmental assessment for renovation and demolition projects is often a requirement of state and federal environmental authorities. But it’s also a sound business practice, as environmental issues that go undetected leave projects vulnerable to spreading effects and increased liability.
Buildings erected before 1980 often have asbestos in the fire proofing and floor tiles that must be removed. Lead, PCBs and indoor air quality issues may also need to be addressed. Aging and faulty or poorly located ventilation systems can lead to indoor air quality problems. Degraded asbestos can also affect air quality. Chemical storage closets where a spill has occurred or where chemicals have leaked over the years are also a source of potential hazards. Depending on how a property has been used, there may be good reason to suspect soil and water contamination beneath the site. Only a thorough environmental site assessment by an experienced environmental partner can empower you with the information you need to move forward effectively and cost-efficiently.
To learn more about how we work with project developers of all sizes to assess, mitigate and manage environmental hazards that threaten health, safety and the success of your project, stop by our table at the Southern California Idea Exchange, or click on the link below.
Development stakeholders have an array of risks to consider when constructing each new property or redevelopment of existing properties: placement of utility lines, safety compliance, the storage of hazardous materials, dry cleaning operations, industrial facilities, and manufacturing for example. But there is another invisible risk beneath a property’s surface that could degrade the quality of your building, property and indoor environment, before it’s even finished: vapor intrusion, a problem that often goes unnoticed to building occupants.
