Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Retail

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DUO, the penultimate development at the $2 billion masterplanned Central Park precinct, has seen new retailers open their doors.
Adventure retailer Kathmandu join Starbucks, Best Bite Convenience and donut shop Cross Lane have opened up on the Broadway retail and restaurant streetscape.
The new DUO retailers will be joined in coming weeks by Fika, a new concept from the team behind innovative café florist Cuppa Flower, as well as new eateries Fire and Coal and Talay’sThai, to add futher spice to the dining mix.
In all, DUO features nine ground floor tenancies with extensive frontage to Broadway.
Kathmandu’s major new store covers a dual tenancy.
One tenancy remains available for lease.
DUO completes the Broadway frontage at Central Park where Woolworths supermarket comes with amenities like Palace Central cinemas.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/21/Wonderland_Chippendale%20Green%20during%20sunset.jpg" alt="">
A final opportunity for retailers to set up shop at Central Park was recently released in the Wonderland building, with four boutique tenancies ranging between 57 square metres and 193 square metres suitable for casual dining, restaurant, bar, food and beverage, and service uses.
Wonderland is well-connected between Regent Street, Broadway and Kensington Street.
When complete, Central Park will include 2,200 apartments, 869 student dwellings, three hotels and approximately 25,000 square metres of hospitality space.
About 5,300 people will call Central Park home and around 1,750 people will work there.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

New shops open their doors at DUO, Central Park

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Prahran’s popular retail pocket of Greville Street will become home to the newest Pizza Hub.
Fitzroys' agent James Spencer negotiated the five-year deal with a five-year option for Shop 2, 96-102 Greville Street.
It was at $60,000 per annum net on behalf of a local private investor.
Spencer said Pizza Hub will be run by chefs focusing on traditional pizza.
The hospitality group have a handful of sites around Melbourne, and although Greville Street will accommodate 20 people within the restaurant, takeaway convenience is set to play a big part in their business.
“Melbourne’s strips have seen a growing proportion of shops being used for food and beverage use, with the introduction of a number of new cafés, bars and restaurants,” Spencer said.
“Delivery services such as Uber Eats, Menulog and Deliveroo are representing a larger percentage of food and beverage turnover.”
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New pizza restaurant coming to Greville Street, Prahran

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Australia's changing consumer spending patterns, over both time and across age groups, are changing the face of the country's retail sector, says new research. 
BIS Oxford Economics’ Retail Property Market report shows that Australians are buying fewer ‘things’ and, increasingly, consumers are not buying them from traditional shops.
These trends present a formidable challenge to retailers and shopping centre owners and developers, it says. 
Together with the cyclically weak retail environment and it threatens retailer survival and shopping centre income returns, says report author, Senior Project Manager Maria Lee.
“There's another key threat to retail property returns, and that that’s the risk of softening investment yields,” she says.
“The share of household expenditure on clothing and footwear has more than halved since 1984, from 6.5% to 3.1%.
“Not only that, but the dollar amount spent actually fell between the 2009–10 ABS Household Expenditure Survey and the 2015–16 survey.”
The report also points to the inexorable rise of online shopping. The online market share is currently around 8%, growing at over 15% per annum.
Lee points out that more mature online markets, such as the US and some European countries, are still seeing growth rates of around 15% even with much higher market shares than in Australia.
“It’s a real possibility that a growth rate of 15% per annum could be sustained for some time,” says Lee.
“If so, this would result in an online market share of 22% within 10 years.”
BIS Oxford Economics forecasts that shopping centre incomes will see muted growth over coming years in light of the above challenges.
A return to stronger economic conditions should bring with it a pick-up in consumer spending early next decade, but the company expects only modest retail turnover growth on average over the next 10 years.
As a result, shopping centre net income growth is forecast to stay only just ahead of inflation.
“And there are probably more downside than upside risks to that forecast,” cautions Lee.
BIS Oxford Economics expects increases in bond rates over the next few years to pose a key risk to shopping centre yields.
“We’re not forecasting a great degree of softening in investment yields but, even so, we forecast five year IRRs for regional centres of just 5.5%," says Lee.
“That suggests that they are currently overvalued relative to hurdle rates of return.”
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Changing customer behaviour a formidable challenge to retailers: BIS Oxford Economics

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A Double Bay retail property has just been leased to Kristin Fisher, self acclaimed as the 'leading eyebrow expert in Sydney'.
It is positioned in the heart of Double Bay’s new business and entertainment precinct, 
It was listed by Allan Levy and Zorick Toltsan from Metro Commercial. 
Located at 16-18 Bay Street, the 227 square metre property offered 12 metres of frontage, one car space and storage.
Other features include designer finishes, marble floors and fit out. 
It is within walking distance to the public transport including Double Bay Ferry Wharf and Edgecliff Train Station. 
The business joins the likes of Carla Zampatti, Matteo, Domain Auction House, F45, Mrs Sippy and the soon to be revamped Royal Oak Hotel.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/double%20bay%202.jpg" alt=""> 
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Kristin Fisher leases in Double Bay's new retail precinct

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Up Property's iconic Morris Moor development will soon be home to CLIK Collective.
It will be the only co-warehousing and co-working space designed around the needs of ecommerce businesses in Melbourne, with the 6,000 sqm space set to meet the specific needs and growth of local online retailers.
Formerly known as Kensington Collective, CLIK Collective developed the co-warehousing concept after identifying co-working spaces for ecommerce retailers, that also included tailored warehousing spaces, loading bays, photography studios and showroom facilities, did not exist.
With over 80,000 ecommerce business in Australia, CLIK Collective Founder and Director Harry Kempler, explains that it was the well-connected location and planned surrounding onsite amenities that drove them to choose Morris Moor as the new location for their co-warehousing space.
CLIK Collective plans to provide purpose-built spaces, facilities and services for ecommerce businesses based in Melbourne's South East, assisting in the development of more than 60 new innovative businesses for the Moorabbin community.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/31/Up%20Property_Click%20Collective%20Morris%20Moor%20Render%202.jpeg" alt="">
"Collaborative economies are making their way into the logistics industry by offering unique and clever solutions that are both efficient and environmentally responsive. We're passionate about small businesses and coworking environments and look forward to supporting local online retailers on a large scale and for the opportunities Morris Moor will bring to the local community," Kempler added.
Opening in September, CLIK Collective Moorabbin will offer a range of individually secure warehouse spaces from 12 sqm through to 300 sqm.
The business is one of four already confirmed for Morris Moor, which Up Property has revealed will see the transformation of the 60-year-old Philip Morris manufacturing site.
Up Property Managing Director, Adam Davidson, explains that they are excited to welcome CLIK Collective who are bringing the unique co-warehousing concept to Morris Moor.=
Construction began this month on Morris Moor's office building, located at the corner of Chesterville and Cochranes Road. Boasting 5,257 square metres of office space across two levels, the building has the potential to house up to six tenants ranging from approximately 250 sqm to the whole building.
Up Property have secured their first commitment within the office space.
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A new take on co-working: co-warehousing comes to Moorabbin's Morris Moor

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Many predictions about the “future of retailing” have been made. These range from the supposed dominance of certain technologies, to increased use of data and analytics, the rising need for personalisation and customisation, and the transformation of physical spaces.
The challenge with specific predictions is that these are susceptible to becoming obsolete fast. Future technologies are likely to make the current cutting-edge redundant, and the methods by which customers can customise products are likely to look very different in the future.
However, when you take a step back, some common themes emerge from these predictions, such as convenience, customer experience, business intelligence, and personalisation. It’s these themes that will really shape the future of retail.
Many specific predictions about the use of new technologies, for example, link back to the notion of providing convenience to shoppers, or learning more about customers.
Predictions relating to the rising use of data and analytics are about becoming more intelligent in interactions with customers.
While the specifics of each theme may change, their impact is likely to stay. For example, convenience in the future may relate to payment technologies, store opening hours, or other as yet unknown methods. Whatever the case, the drive for convenience is likely to persist.
While some themes are easily identified, others are less obvious; including fragmentation, flexibility, and transparency.
Fragmentation
At a population level, PWC describes fragmentation as the widening gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” and the impact this has had on consumer behaviour. Similar fragmentation is driving the future of the retail industry in a number of ways.
A common prediction is that retail space (including stores and centres) will become smaller. Yet some retailers are opening new flagship stores and some already large centres have been expanded.
Fragmentation is also occurring at the retail level. Mega-retailers like Amazon and Alibaba are holding strong positions in many markets. At the same time small, niche and independent retailers are gaining exposure through outlets such as Etsy and 100 Squared.
The major question arising from this theme is what will happen to the middle? Already department stores like Myer have struggled to find a place. They lack the range and scope of the largest retailers, but don’t have the independence and flexibility of niche operators.
Flexibility
Flexibility is about retailers adapting to changing trends and consumer demands. This is clearly seen in current trends and future predictions related to personalisation and customisation.
Allowing customers to customise products requires flexibility to adapt product or service offerings. At the same time, more flexibility is expected with physical spaces.
Traditional large store footprints are giving way to small and flexible showrooms. A new format of “super-neighbourhood” shopping centre is expected to focus on flexibility for local communities.
This theme has interesting implications for the future. How can stores and shopping centres be designed and managed to provide flexibility? How will the need for flexibility impact the already challenging relationships between retail tenants and landlords?
Finally, how far can flexibility in product and service design really go? Will retailers of the future be able to let consumers design anything they want with no boundaries?
Transparency
The idea of transparency has gained a lot of attention with discussions about Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. However, a similar theme is impacting retail.
Consumers have unprecedented access to information about stores, brands and products through online channels, mobile devices and consumer-to-consumer sharing.
This challenges retailers to be transparent and honest with product or service offerings, as misrepresentations are easily identified.
How can retailers best manage the need for transparency while still maintaining a competitive advantage? Alternatively, should retailers and shopping centres look to discourage consumer information-gathering? Or can transparency be leveraged to create mutual benefit for consumers and retailers?
What next?
Australian retailers have had a tough time in recent years. Online shopping is growing steadily and major international companies like Costco are also expanding.
This has turned retail into a global competition.
No-one really knows what the future will hold, as confident as some predictions may sound. However, considering the underlying drivers of current trends, as well as future predictions, there are some key factors to consider. The real value comes not from focusing on only one driver, or the latest buzz trend.
It is important to consider how these multiple trends overlap. For example, providing more flexible services might help satisfy the need for greater customer experience, as well as convenience. Alternatively, greater transparency might help cope with the fragmentation of the industry.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/100518/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">The challenge for the retail industry is to develop specific strategies for the future based on these driving forces.
Jason Pallant, Lecturer of Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology
This article was originally published on The Conversation. 
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The factors driving the future of retail: Jason Pallant

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Flinders chocolatiers Milton Laycock and Isilda Caldwell are selling their home and business premises in the Mornington Pensinsula town’s main street.
The <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/45-45b-cook-street-flinders-vic-3929-2014484660" target="_blank">45-45b Cook Street</a>, Flinders holding has a price guide of $3.15 million.
The property includes a commercial kitchen and twin showrooms in the business dwelling and a contemporary three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence at the rear of the block. 
The living spaces include a fireplace and a black and white island kitchen with Miele appliances, and there are decks front and back for outdoor entertaining.
 Domenic Zanellini of Nicholson Real Estate has the listing.
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Flinders chocolatiers list Main Street business premises

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Designer Collette Dinnigan has sold her first ever Sydney store to a local owner-occupier who bought the 74-square-metre terrace as an office.
The property sold for nearly $23,000 a square metre in terms of land rate. 
About 100 groups enquired about the property and 14 made inspections.
It was 1992 when, in her mid-20s living above the shop, she moved into the William Street, Paddington premises.
She launched her lingerie collection which was soon being exported to the likes of Barneys New York and Harvey Nichols in London.
Dinnigan <a href="/expert-insights/investing/fashion-designer-collette-dinnigan-to-sell-flagship-paddo-store">bought the boutique space for $625,000 in 1998</a>, vacating it when she relocated to Queen Street, which closed in 2014 as she sought new adventures outside of the fashion world in property with her husband Bradley Cocks.
Dinnigan's shop had a $1,625,000 guide for its forthcoming July 7 auction <a href="https://www.bresicwhitney.com.au/buy/33-william-street-paddington-19087" target="_blank">through BresicWhitney agent Ivan Bresic</a>.
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<div>"Yes it is a very emotional decision and certainly marks the end of an era," Dinnigan said.</div>
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<div>"William Street was good to me and gave me the exposure I needed in the Australian market to build my brand.</div>
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<div>“It’s such a fantastic area for local artisans and up-and-coming designers and bespoke retailers.</div>
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<div>"I still drive in from the Southern Highlands and make Alimentari (the continental deli) at the bottom of William Street my first stop!</div>
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 "Interiors and home is what excites me at the moment and I am having lots of fun doing projects in both Australia and Italy.</div>
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<div>"Although it’s taking a little longer than anticipated Bradley and I hope to launch 'Dinnigan Cocks — Bespoke Homes' later in the year."</div>
Since she departed the 33 William Street space, the store's occupants have included Bailey Nelson.
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The fashion street's most recent arrival was fashion designer Jasmine Yarborough, the fiancé of breakfast television co-host Karl Stefanovic.
Yarborough rents a space at 76 William Street for her Mara &amp; Mine collection which she launched with best friend Tamara Ingham.
The shop they rent has been a long-term investment for the owners, who have held the shop since 1992.
There have been several recent sales including an original mixed-use Victorian terrace at 70 William Street for $1.55 million. It had a $1.4 million buyers guide.
Another commercial space at 80 William Street fetched $1.9 million, up on its $1.7 million trade in 2016.
Dinnigan's main focus now is on launching Bespoke Homes, the luxury rental platform she's developing with her husband, hotel and tourism entrepreneur Bradley Cocks.
They've already gathered a number of properties, including a <a href="/news/colette-dinnigan-secures-400-year-old-puglia-italy-farmhouse">400 year old farmhouse in Italy.</a>
There's a <a href="/news/fashion-designer-collette-dinnigan-buys-near-batemans-bay">doer-upper near Batemans Bay</a>, a Darling Point terrace and a <a href="/news/fashion-designer-collette-dinnigan-buys-in-paddington-again">property in Paddo.</a>
Dinnigan has sought to offload her <a href="/expert-insights/investing/collette-dinnigan-looks-to-sell-surry-hills-hq-to-oneil-family">long-held Surry Hills office space.</a>
 
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Collette Dinnigan's first ever shop in Paddington sold

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A super-prime trophy investment in Ivanhoe’s tightly-held Upper Heidelberg Road has sold under the hammer for $5.225 million.
The highest price paid for a retail freehold in the busy shopping strip.
Fitzroys senior manager Chris James and director Chris Kombi sold the property at <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/137-139-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079-2014360180" target="_blank">137-139 Upper Heidelberg Road</a>, which was offered to the market for the first time in 60 years.
The iconic two-storey building of 505 sqm comprises two shops and a first-floor gym on a 263 sqm site, with a wide frontage of around 13.33 metres.
James said the strong enquiry throughout the campaign led to fierce competition between six bidders at auction, and the sale price reflecting an exceptional land rate of $20,000 per sqm and tight 4.1% yield.
“The record result demonstrated the pent-up demand to acquire commercial property in this tightly-held market,” he said.
The ground level retail spaces have new five-year leases to longstanding tenants Romano’s Restaurant and French-style Laurent Bakery, and a five-year deal to first-floor tenant Vision Personal Training.
Zoned Commercial 1, the property is located just metres from the entrance of Ivanhoe Plaza.
Kombi said the offering presented a rare opportunity to secure an iconic Ivanhoe property with an excellent tenant profile and significant passing income.
“The property is brilliantly positioned on Upper Heidelberg Road and abutting Ivanhoe Plaza, and is home to key traders that, combined with national tenants including Woolworths and major trading banks along with popular local businesses, give the thriving Upper Heidelberg retail strip a unique village-style quality,” he said.
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According to Fitzroys research, Upper Heidelberg Road currently features less than 1% retail vacancy, which Kombi said is a further testament to the strength of the strip.
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Super-prime trophy investment sets Ivanhoe record

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The Melbourne-based Smorgon family have listed their retail holding on the Queen Street Mall in Brisbane.
It has been dubbed Brisbane's best retail corner.
The property reportedly could fetch up to $100 million. There was a fully leased net income of $4.46 million per annum.
The Smorgon family have owned the property for 27 years.
It recently signed McDonalds for a 10-year lease with two 10-year options, becoming the biggest McDonalds in the southern hemisphere.
Norman Smorgon and his wife, Tania, are the key Smorgon family members in the holding company Vesco Nominees.
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The 3771 square metre property includes the 853sq m McDonald's as well as an 801sq m Showgirls, plus fashion store Forever New and UGG Shop, a Money Exchange, Gellatissimo and a Suncorp bank.
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