Downsizing, Stores Function as Showrooms

LAS VEGAS—Since we are all about digging into retail trends while at ICSC RECon here in Las Vegas, we thought we would catch up with our thought leader, Partner Engineering & Science Inc., who can provide a different angle on the subject. Bob Geiger, principal and national client manager at the firm, tells GloebSt.com that as retail continues to move online, brick and mortar stores are increasingly being used as showrooms. As a result, many retailers are downsizing to smaller stores —in better, urban areas to be able to reach their clientele.

“We’re seeing more building conversions than new development, generally in ‘hot’ urban areas,” he explains. But repositioning of retail space changes the site infrastructure, he notes, including requirements for ADA compliance and building systems such as HVAC and MEP, “so we’re seeing high demand for these services.”