Discount chain applications power supermarket surge nationwide

Applications for new supermarkets grew 24% by square footage in 2016, with discount chains Aldi and Lidl dominating activity nationwide. Those two brands accounted for 73% of all new space proposed last year, up from a 12% share back in 2012. Data for the ‘Big Four’ supermarket operators shows the opposite movement, with their 78.5% share five years ago down to just 16.3% in 2016. In the four years leading up to 2016, the South East (excluding London) has been the most popular region for space proposed. The East Midlands took that mantle last year, with more than 830,000 sq ft of new space coming in for planning – 15% of the national total. SEE ALSO: Deirdre Hipwell – big things in store for Lidl TOTAL SPACE APPLIED FOR IN 2016 AND PERCENTAGE CHANGE ON 2015 MOST POPULAR SUPERMARKET BRANDS BY REGION Most popular brand (2012-2016) Total sq ft applications by most popular brand (2012-2016) East Midlands Lidl 727,000 East of England Tesco 294,000 London Lidl 351,000 North East Lidl 319,000 North West Aldi 577,000 Scotland Aldi 462,000 South East Sainsbury’s 943,000 South West Morrisons 465,000 Wales Lidl 275,000 West Midlands Aldi 359,000 Yorkshire Aldi 636,000 To send feedback, e-mail graham.shone@egi.co.uk or tweet @GShoneEG or @estatesgazette MAIN IMAGE: © imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock RETAIL & LEISURE SPECIAL ■ Brexit better than the 2008 recession… and the rise of the robots Even in times of economic downturn, consumers still need to feed, wash and clothe themselves and so will continue to purchase items they require, less what they simply desire, meaning the convenience market, that in which NewRiver focuses on, will remain robust. Read more… ■ Discount chain applications power supermarket surge nationwide Applications for new supermarkets grew 24% by square footage in 2016, with discount chains Aldi and Lidl dominating activity nationwide. Read more… ■ How to turn a profit from retail investment An unusual deal closed in Ipswich this February – a deal that defied a trend plaguing retail landlords across the country. Read more… ■ Buying strategies of three UK shopping centre investors “I’m wondering what a lot of investment agents are doing at the moment,” says Sovereign Centros chief executive Chris Geaves while pondering the question of how many shopping centres might change hands in 2017. Read more… ■ The new shape of retail and leisure development Online retail, rising costs, viability issues and a discerning consumer that increasingly wants more from their shopping trip. It’s a heady mix that is piling pressure onto shopping centre developers. Against this backdrop, what are the prospects for the sector and its ability to deliver new space? Read more… ■ Crown Estate looks to its regional assets for growth prospects This summer, the £140m Rushden Lakes retail and leisure scheme opens in Northamptonshire. For the Crown Estate – best known for its Regent Street, St James and Mayfair portfolio – the Northamptonshire project marks a new commitment to the regions. Its ambition is nothing less than to lead the regional retail market. Read more… ■ Why the UK’s thirst for coffee is good news for landlords and investors Things have come a long way since Rowan Atkinson’s Blackadder III described the beverages served in Mrs Miggins’ London coffee shop as “brown grit in hot water”. Read more… ■ E-tail gets physical when building a brand “We have enjoyed a lot of success online, but nothing beats the feeling you get standing outside your own store watching excited customers walk out clutching their bags,” says James Gold, co-founder of fashion accessories brand Skinnydip. Read more… ■ Can high street shoe shops step up as shopping habits shift? Like a well-worn pair of favourite shoes that have started letting in water, part of the UK’s footwear retail sector is starting to look like it needs repairs – or even replacing. Read more…