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;

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<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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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&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.

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WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Retail

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A double fronted retail space has been leased out in the inner Melbourne suburb of Brunswick.
Situated at 271-273 on Albert Street, was leased by ESD Enterprises Pty Ltd on a five year lease term for $55,000 p.a. plus GST.
Set on 310 sqm, the agreement equates to a building rate of $177 per square meter.
The property features ground floor retail space, first floor dwelling/offices, rear ROW access, on-site parking and is centrally located 80m from Sydney Road, and 130m from Brunswick Train Station.
The ground floor will be operated as a restaurant or bar, while the first floor will host a recording studio.
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Double fronted Brunswick retail space leased

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A retail investment on four lots with a pharmacy anchor tenant in Mooloolaba, Queensland has hit the market.
The property at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://raywhitecommercialnoosasunshinecoastnorth.com/properties/commercial-for-sale/qld/mooloolaba-4557/retail/2155172" target="_blank">Ground Floor/77 Mooloolaba Esplanade</a> comes with 401 square metre of total building space,
Situated within the tightly-held retail strip, the sites can be purchased individually or in-one-line.
The properties have been listed for sale via expressions of interest by Ray White Property Consultants Matt Marenko and Louisa Blennerhassett.
The Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy was a local institution and had operated on Mooloolaba Esplanade since the 1950s.
"The four separate titles provide the opportunity to split the space in the future, but currently, the asset produces $373,360 per annum net income with a fixed four per cent annual increase," Marenko said. 
"The building has also recently received an upgrade to the external façade and paving."
The Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy comes with a lease until 2027, with options up until 2034.
Mooloolaba Osteopathy and Massage Clinic occupy the balance with a lease up until December 2021, which commenced in 2011, with an option until 2026.
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Tenanted Mooloolaba retail investment hits the market

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A retail/residential property at Glen Iris in Melbourne's inner east has hit the market. 
Located at 159 Burke Road, within the Malvern East Central Park shopping village, the property comprises a two storey freehold with 167 sqm of internal space.
It comes with retail on the ground floor and office/residential on the first floor. 
Zoned Commercial 1 under the City of Boroondara Planning Scheme, the 142 sqm site has 6m of frontage to Burke Road and benefits from secondary access via a rear laneway.  
Situated between Wattletree Road and High Street, the property is within close proximity of Central Park, Glen Iris Railway Station and major arterial routes including the Monash Freeway and Dandenong Road.
The property has been listed by Teska Carson’s Fergus Evans and Matthew Feld. 
"The fact that 159 Burke Road is being offered for the first time in 65 years underlines just how sought after and tightly held properties in this precinct are,’’ Mr Evans said.  
The property will be sold with vacant possession.
It has been scheduled for auction on September 6.
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Glen Iris shop offered for the first time in 65 years

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A three storey freehold in Camberwell, Victoria has been sold for $1.72 million.
It sold at a 4.3% yield. 
The property at 947 Burke Road was sold by Fitzroys agents Chris James, Jordan Ceppi and Chris Kombi. 
The ground floor of the 250 sqm building is leased to Classique Nail Spa, on a new 5+5-year lease.
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The upper level levels boast a three-level apartment with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and top floor open living area. 
Zoned commercial 1, the property features rear laneway access from Burwood Road.
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It is surrounded by retailers, eateries and corporate tenants with a number of completed high-density apartment developments nearby. 
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Three storey mixed use Camberwell freehold sold

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A Melbourne investor has forked out $1.77 million for a retail property located on High Street, Ashburton.
Located on the tightly held Ashburton shopping strip, the property is a 167 square metre double story building with a 117 square metre retail space on the ground floor and a 50 square metre level on top.
The property was sold fully leased with two tenants who are returning $70,904 per annum.
The address is currently being used as a clothing outlet named Black Pepper, and a body and skin clinic called Beauty Up.
George Takis, at Teska Carson, said the strong result reflected the very tightly held retail strip location.
“The last property we sold in this precinct had been held for 50 years, underlining just how tightly held these properties have become and how rare opportunities for investors are,” Takis said.
Takis said the booming population in the area had helped to boost the value of retail space.
He noted that the potential for future development on the strip represented a significant part of the property’s appeal.
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Investor spends $1.77 million on Ashburton retail space 

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A retail opportunity in the Ascot Racecourse Village has been listed through Savills.
It is the last retail lease on offer in the centre.
Monica Shu of Savills is marketing the listing.
Racecourse Village is located on <a href="http://commercialpropertysearch.savills.com.au/4af8a117-189e-e911-80db-005056813885/Lease/Ascot/Racecourse-Village" target="_blank">188 Nudgee Road</a> in the heart of Ascot, a highly trafficked region of inner-eastern Brisbane.
The listing is for an existing full restaurant fit-out with an al fresco dining area.
The centre comprises an established, modern retail and professional centre incorporating a mix of tenants. 
Set on 120 sqm, the holding is situated across the road from the Doomben Racecourse.
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Last retail lease in Ascot's Racecourse Village through Savills

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The latest wave of food and drink offerings has opened in Darling Square, with the majority of the lifestyle precinct now complete.
The patch that was home to the Sydney Entertainment Centre and its car park has welcomed 29 new retailers to the fold in the past week.
The heart of the lifestyle hub is Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s new bird’s nest-meets-beehive building, the Exchange.
On the street level is Maker’s Dozen – an industrial-style marketplace with 12 casual outlets and seating for about 350.
The line-up includes Pasta Wafu, Saga Lyte, Tapavino, Hopper Kadé, Fishbowl, Fish and Co, Bau Truong, Mr. Bao, Bubble Nini’s, Bucket Boys bar and bottle shop.
Across thesquare to Electric Treat Street (aka Little Hay Street), you can find milkshakes and shaved ice desserts inspired by old-school Japanese miruku bars at Devon’s latest concept, DOPA Donburi and Milk Bar, as well as Filipino cocktail and dessert combos at Rey Jr, the sibling to Rey’s Placein Darlinghurst.
Outposts of Gelato Messina and Melbourne’s Shortstop Coffee and Donuts are also present. 
Nicolle Walk, a short stroll away, is home to the sequel to Marrickville’s mod-Vietnamese hit Hello Auntie and Hakata-Maru’s tonkotsu ramen flagship.
There are still a handful of spots, including Golden Century spinoff XOPP, set to switch on the lights in the coming months.
 
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29 more venues open for business in Darling Square

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Retail space has become available in the historic Tasma Terrace headquarters of the National Trust.
The Trust occupies large office across level two of the six-terrace three-storey row.
It has yielded vacant space on the ground and first floors.
The premises are known as 10 and 12 Parliament Place, suitable for retail and commercial operators.
There is a 46 sqm ground floor space.
The 57 sqm first floor at No.10 and the former storage 103 sqm ground and first floor storage space at No.12 are available.
The boutique terrace-style offices feature original trimmings, high ceilings, and a large glass atrium at the rear.
It overlooks Burton Reserve towards Parliament House.
The space is likely to garner between $575 and $600 a sqm.
Tasma Terrace also boasts a gallery, meeting and function rooms.
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The total site comprises of six terraces.
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Mr Tod cafe operates from the basement.
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Tasma Terrace was built in 1879 for grain merchant George Nipper as a stylish guest house and family home.
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Situated in one of Melbourne’s most desired city fringe locations, it is within close proximity to Spring Street, Collins Street and the CBD. 
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East Melbourne has the tightest non-CBD office market in the country, according to the most recent data from the Property Council of Australia, with a vacancy rate of just 2%.
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Space for rent in historic Tasma Terrace, Parliament Place Melbourne

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One of Australia’s largest industrial trade tools retailers, Sydney Tools, is seeking to lease 80,000 square metres of industrial retail space across the country in the next five years.
It is in the part of the the group's national expansion program of its bricks and mortar retail megastores.
"We are seeking to commit to leases of terms of up to 10 years," Sydney Tools Director Jason Bey said.
The privately owned company has grown its share of the trade tools market by stocking a range which now spans more than 11,000 stock-keeping units.
Established in 2001, Sydney Tools is an Australian family owned company and currently operating 31 stores along the eastern seaboard in NSW, ACT, Queensland and Victoria.
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It plans to double its eastern seaboard footprint and expand into other states including Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
The company holds a footprint of approximately 60,000 square metres across the 31 current stores. 
Bey said more than 94% of revenue was generated through their bricks and mortar retail outlets.
Spending on major infrastructure projects particularly in NSW, Victoria and Queensland is driving ongoing demand for capital equipment, accessories and hand tools, Bey said.
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Sydney Tools to more than double retail footprint in expansion move

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EXPERT OBSERVER 
There are significant dangers in making generalisations on consumer spending. Sales of shoes and chemist items are solid. But the home building slowdown is weighing on sales of hardware and garden items while Aussie families are still cutting back on newspapers and books. Prices are rising sharply at food stores with the drought a key influence. But prices of shoes and electrical items are still cheaper than a year ago.
Overall, sales of retail goods continue to slow. One reason is higher retail inflation – the highest in a decade. But there is also the ongoing switch to services like health, education and tourism. Aussies still enjoy going out to cafes and restaurants. Meanwhile Aussie consumers outlay more on insurance, utilities and housing.
For the full 2018/19 year, Aussies spent 3 per cent more at retail outlets. They bought 1.3 per cent more goods and services while prices rose by 1.8 per cent over the year.
Are Aussie families living more simply? Perhaps. But it may also be the case that the significant uncertainty about the May election caused consumers to make a key tactical retreat. The encouraging 0.4 per cent lift in June spending may signify the return of the Aussie consumer.
Retail trade – June
Retail trade rose by 0.4 per cent in June after a 0.1 per cent increase in May. Annual growth rose from 2.4 per cent to 2.5 per cent. Non-food retailing rose by 0.5 per cent in June, and annual growth lifted from 1.8 per cent to 2.2 per cent.
Sales by chain-store retailers and other large retailers rose by 0.7 per cent in June after a 0.1 per cent increase in May to stand 3.9 per cent higher over the year.
Spending rose most in June in Clothing retailing (up 2.0 per cent); Footwear (up 1.9 per cent); Newspaper and book retailing (up 1.8 per cent) and Takeaway food (up 1.6 per cent). Nine of 15 retail categories rose in June.
Spending fell the most for Specialised food – butchers, bakers, fruit etc. (down 3.8 per cent) and Department stores and Hardware, building and garden supplies (both down 0.6 per cent).
Across states/territories: NSW (up 0.3 per cent); Victoria (up 0.3 per cent); Queensland (up 0.4 per cent); South Australia (down 0.3 per cent); Western Australia (up 0.8 per cent), Tasmania (up 1.5 per cent); Northern Territory (down 0.2 per cent); ACT (up 0.3 per cent).
Retail trade – June quarter
In real (inflation-adjusted) terms, retail trade rose by 0.2 per cent in the June quarter after a 0.1 per cent fall in the March quarter. Annual growth slowed to 0.2 per cent – the slowest since June quarter 1991 (28 years).
Eleven of the 15 retail categories showed growth in the June quarter.
Strongest gains were by Footwear &amp; Other Personal Accessory (up 1.5 per cent) from Department stores and Electrical, Electronic &amp; Gas Goods (both up 1.4 per cent).
Biggest falls were by Hardware, Building &amp; Garden Supplies (down 1.9 per cent), Newspapers and Books (down 1.7 per cent); and Supermarkets and Grocery Stores (down 0.6 per cent).
Prices across retailers rose by 0.4 per cent in the June quarter after a 0.8 per cent rise in the March quarter. Annual growth of retail prices lifted from 2.0 per cent to a decade high of 2.4 per cent.
Prices rose most in the June quarter in Pharmaceutical Cosmetic and Toiletry (up 1.3 per cent); Hardware, Building &amp; Garden Supplies and Newspapers and Books (both up 1.0 per cent).
In the June quarter there was still deflation in Electrical, Electronic &amp; Gas Goods (prices down 1.2 per cent); Footwear &amp; Other Personal Accessory (down 0.6 per cent); and Furniture, Floorcovering and Textile Goods (down 0.1 per cent).
What are the implications for interest rates and investors?
The Reserve Bank would do well to hold fire on future rate cuts until it assesses more evidence. The latest data shows higher prices and higher spending at a retail level. We do know that home prices are stabilising and that the sharemarket is only slightly down from record levels after reaching new peaks on Tuesday. There are also signs that employers are hiring again.
David Jones believes retailing is in recession. The timing of the comments wasn’t good – real department store sales rose by a solid 1.4 per cent in the June quarter.
The 0.7 per cent real decline in spending at Supermarkets &amp; grocery stores is remarkable. Cafes &amp; restaurants and takeaway outlets are doing better. Also of note, Marley Spoon has just released solid results.
CRAIG JAMES is the Chief Economist at CommSec
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