Brick-and-Mortar Retail Isn’t Dead

Ashley Hill is a senior research analyst at CBRE.

LOS ANGELES—For retailers with smart spaces, brick-and-mortar retail is still driving retail sales. According to the third quarter report from CBRE, online sales accounted for 8.1% of each retail dollar spent, but sales from online-only retailers only accounted for 3.3% of each retail dollar spent. The report also showed an increase in flagship locations in Los Angeles. We sat down with Ashley Hill, senior research analyst at CBRE, to talk about this dynamic in the retail market. In this exclusive interview, Hill tells GlobeSt.com that successful retailers are creating an in store experience and an online presence. Here, she talks more about the increase in retail spending, why flagship stores are becoming more common and what to expect from the retail market next year.

GlobeSt.com: Retail spending has fallen flat for most of the year, but picked up in the 3Q. What fueled the increase in consumer spending, and why do you predict that the momentum will continue well into next year?