PCA Boardroom Lunch – QLD – 2022
As the National Retail Partner of the Property Council of Australia, award-winning retail construction company Mainbrace was privileged to host the Queensland Retail Boardroom Lunch in Brisbane in November 2022. As always, it was a fantastic opportunity to bring industry leaders in retail property and design together to share and discuss the latest trends and market insights that will shape the future of the retail landscape.
The evolution of retail design
To this end, Carolyn Viney, Chief Development Officer of Vicinity Centres, provided an insightful general market outlook. She touched on the lingering impacts of COVID, how bricks and mortar retail is bouncing back despite ongoing challenges and a transformed marketplace, and the importance of providing a destination experience for consumers today and into the future.
The evolution of the retail design concept to deliver a destination shopping experience for consumers is certainly a growing trend we’ve noticed on the construction side of the equation. For instance, we are seeing a much greater focus on the integration of elevated food and beverage offers alongside entertainment precincts and multi-purpose community spaces. These are seamlessly incorporated with the goods and services offerings shoppers traditionally expect.
These newly envisioned approaches to retail design are an important foundation for encouraging consumers back into the physical retail sphere after many, many months of almost exclusively occupying the online shopping space.
Retail construction to support a modern lifestyle
The deeply important role retail plays in the modern urban lifestyle was a key theme on the day of the PCA Boardroom Lunch. As our QLD State Manager Duncan McAndrew explained while welcoming our guests, retail brings people together in spaces to transact – but it also does so much more.
From childcare centres to function rooms, art exhibitions, interactive play spaces, eat streets, entertainment complexes, and more, the community has higher expectations of physical retail centres these days. It is the responsibility of owners, managers, architects and retail builders to deliver on and not just meet but exceed consumer expectations – by delighting and surprising customers and patrons.
What’s clear is that the industry’s leaders are responding. The future for bricks and mortar retail is bright – and this is great news for all of us.
Thank you to Jen Williams, Queensland Executive Director of the PCA, for moderating a wonderful event. It was a valuable investment in time for everyone who came along and we look forward to seeing you at the next one.