How to Select a New Shopping Center Site

Published on: 14 August 2018 Last Updated on: 08 August 2019

If the next goal of your retail construction business is to build a shopping center at a strategic location, the first key step is to find the right site where it’s economically, geographically and environmentally viable to build a shopping mall.

The planning and construction of a shopping center are way different from that of local markets or of store clusters. The selection of land itself is a lengthy process, from shortlisting possible locations to getting government approvals to begin construction. The location, the scale of the project and the size of the shopping mall are key determinants in the site selection process.

Moreover, when a developer chooses a site for a shopping mall, it must be a place that will receive high footfall, will have ample parking space, should be convenient to visit and should house the brands that can pull traffic. A shopping center is, therefore, a full package that doesn’t just offer products that people would like to purchase, but also an ambiance that will make the experience comfortable, hassle-free and weatherproof for visitors. If you’re an investor, developer or builder scouting locations to build a new shopping center, here are a few key factors that should guide your decision.

Base your decision on stringent selection criteria :

Building a new shopping center is a big investment and should get you maximum ROI in record time. However, reality often differs widely from projections made during the planning phase. Therefore, site selection for a shopping mall must be done after taking into account several key parameters such as accessibility, availability of local transport, road infrastructure around the location, traffic around the site, size and construction-readiness of the site, and scope of expansion.

Other key factors that should drive your site selection research are the topography of the area, the shape of the land, and survey-backed data regarding potential footfall and present and future competition.

Lastly, the catchment area should be studied in-depth to understand the demographics and spending habits of the population expected to be your future customers.

Be prepared to face the challenges in site selection :

Sometimes, finding a site for a new retail project takes only a few weeks, and at other times the process may stretch into months. The key challenges faced by builders and developers in finding an ideal location include land acquisition cost (land near the city center or in prime locations tends to be way more expensive than in other areas); availability of land for commercial projects near densely populated areas; getting the required environmental clearances and government approvals; and, lastly, the public infrastructure around the site.

A site that meets only some of these selection challenges may not be worth pursuing, as the success of a shopping center will depend on the footfall it attracts, which itself depends on several factors. So shopping plaza location should be finalized only if it will give its investors and retailers a handsome return on investment.

Use technology to find the best sites :

The most successful global retail chains rely on technology to help them find suitable locations for opening new stores worldwide. Using massive amounts of big data and cutting-edge mapping systems, companies are using technology to find profitable sites across the world. Expansion and investment decisions are increasingly being taken based on location- and demographics-based data provided by specialty software programs and applications.

If so far you’ve relied on physical research to scout locations for retail projects along with limited use of technology, it’s time to go all out into the fantastic realm of big data and digital mapping software to build your next retail success story.

Contact a digital map provider, such as promap.co.uk to get a detailed map of the town or district or street you’ve shortlisted as an ideal site for your next retail construction project. The various types of digital mapping services available with Promap offer invaluable and in-depth information that is employed by developers and architects for site identification, risk analysis, feasibility, planning application, and environmental and geological analysis of a location before proceeding to the planning and design phases.

Lastly, market research is a key aspect of retail construction as it helps developers derive accurate projections in terms of present and long-term viability of the project. Once the site is selected, a detailed demand/supply study must be carried out, taking into account the lifestyle and spending power of the catchment area. This will help you determine which retail businesses are more likely to drive traffic to the shopping center.

Read Also :

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

7 Common Construction Project Management Problems

Construction project management is a resource-intensive and complex process that involves coordinating different teams and disciplines to achieve a common goal. In addition, the construction industry is constantly evolving, so project managers must be adaptable and proactive to deliver projects successfully. However, even the most experienced and skilled construction project managers can face challenges during a project. Fortunately, construction project management software like Bridgit can help managers streamline employee management and performance. However, it's still critical to be familiar with the problems troubling the construction project management sector. Here are seven of them. 7 Main Problems Construction Project Managers Face: Every construction site has unique challenges, but some problems in construction project management are more common than others. 1. Undefined or poorly defined goals Every construction project should have specific and achievable goals to all team members. Without clear objectives, it isn't easy to measure progress and ensure that everyone is working towards the same vision. A common problem in construction project management is that goals are either undefined or poorly defined. It can lead to confusion and frustration among team members. In a recent survey, 52% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the project management maturity at their organization. It’s a wake-up call for project managers to step up their game regarding goal development. Plus, it's challenging to track progress without defined goals. As a result, the project may go over budget or take longer than expected. 2. Inaccurate estimates When creating a construction project budget, miscalculating the cost of materials or underestimating the time to complete a task can lead to big problems eventually. It's essential to be as accurate as possible when estimating the costs of a project. Suppose you're managing the construction of a new office building. You've estimated that the project will cost $5 million and take 18 months to complete. However, after six months, you realize that the project is only 50% complete and that the final cost will be closer to $8 million. It can cause problems for your construction project since you'll need to find additional funding to complete the project. 3. Employee turnover Employee turnover means that workers regularly leave and are replaced on a project. It can lead to a loss in productivity as new employees need time to get up to speed. High turnover rates can also lead to a shortage of skilled labor, which can impact the quality of work. On top of that, it disrupts the flow of communication and collaboration between team members. To deal with employee turnover, construction project managers should build a strong team culture. They should also create opportunities for employee development and provide competitive compensation packages. 4. Scope creep Scope creep occurs when the scope of a project starts to change or expands beyond the original scope. It can be caused by several factors, such as changes in the budget, unrealistic deadlines, or a lack of clear project objectives. Scope creep can significantly impact the budget, timeline, and quality of work. Therefore, construction project managers must understand the project objectives from the start. Here are some ways to tackle scope creep: Make sure everyone involved in the project understands the objectives. Keep track of any changes made to the scope. Work with the client to get approval for scope changes. Communicate with the team regularly to ensure everyone is on the same page. 5. Inadequate risk management OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has strict guidelines for the safety of construction workers. If these guidelines are not followed, it can result in injuries, accidents, and even fatalities. Construction project managers must identify and assess risks before they start working on a project. They should also develop a safety plan and ensure all workers are trained to stay safe. Inadequate risk management leads to the following problems: Injuries and fatalities: Workers can get injured or killed if risks are not managed properly. It can also result in legal problems and a loss of productivity. Property damage: Construction sites are often located near homes and businesses. If risks are not managed properly, they can damage the property. Loss of money: In case of an accident, construction companies must pay for medical expenses and property damage. 6. Poor communication Many construction projects are complex and require coordination between different teams. A lack of communication can result in errors. Some of these problems include: Lack of coordination: Poor communication translates to a lack of coordination. It can result in construction crews working on each other, leading to delays and errors. Delayed completion: A communication breakdown can cause a project to fall behind schedule, resulting in cost overruns and dissatisfied customers. Poor quality: If there is a lack of communication, it can be difficult to resolve issues. For instance, if a contractor does not communicate with the architect, the quality of the work may suffer. 7. Lack of technology The absence of technology from a construction site is a concerning matter that needs immediate attention. A construction company must have the latest technology to stay competitive and efficient. Technology has transformed the construction industry in recent years. In fact, the CAGR for the project management software industry is forecasted to be up to 10.67% by 2025. It has made it easier to communicate and coordinate between different teams. However, not all construction companies have embraced technology. Some companies still use outdated methods, resulting in errors and delays. How Can Construction Managers Avoid Common Project Management Problems? The key to avoiding common project management problems is effective communication. By staying in close contact with all team members, construction managers can stay up-to-date on potential issues and prevent them before they cause significant problems. Additionally, effective communication can help keep projects on schedule and within budget. Besides communication, construction project managers must also use technology to their advantage. This way, they can keep better track of deadlines, progress reports, and costs. Finally, construction managers need to have a good handle on the budget and schedule. They should be able to anticipate potential problems and take steps to avoid them. Conclusion As established, some common problems for construction project managers include lack of communication, ineffective budget handling, employee turnover, and unrealistic deadlines. While some of these can be out of your control, you can take steps to mitigate most of them. For example, creating a communication plan, being proactive about your budget, and being realistic about deadlines will help make your construction project more successful. Read Also: Project Management in a PRINCE2 setting How Can BYOD Improve Your Productivity? The New Global Project PRINCE2 Management Forum Commercial Construction After COVID-19: How Developers Can Adapt

Questions to Ask Before a Data Center Relocation

Since many businesses are adopting developments in technology, we’ve seen a spike in the number of companies and organizations that need IT relocation services. Embracing technological innovations and streamlining IT infrastructure go hand-in-hand because you cannot facilitate a proper IT upgrade without the appropriate hardware. Even if you’re not incorporating major technological changes at the moment; your IT environment’s operational lifespan is one that keeps evolving. You’re bound to need a data center migration at some point. How do you get your data from point A to point B without losing, or interfering with anything? This is the question that it all boils down to. You need an IT organization that has the technical know-how to not only secure your data but also help you increase operational efficiency. Embracing new technologies is supposed to make your business more competitive and highly available. What are the Challenges you’re Likely to Face? Since this is a huge undertaking, you should be aware of all the challenges you will encounter. These hurdles will pose a difficulty if you don’t carefully plan for this transition. Moving Workloads Different workloads require different deployment procedures. Some workloads will be best handled with a hybrid IT approach, some work best in the cloud, while others should only be on-premise moves. Migrating Applications You need to have a clear understanding of the applications you’re moving to. This will help you know which applications depend on others and how to ensure this is not interfered with. You need a catalog of all applications and the risks involved in relocating them. Migrating Data and Machines Don’t forget to monitor, support, and manage all your data during the relocation. You will need reliable IT Relocation Services to ensure everything is in order before, during, and after the move. What are the Best Practices for Data Center Relocation? The next question to ask yourself is the best practices you should use for successful data center relocation. This is an overwhelming project, so it’s best to use a tried and tested procedure. Regardless of the reason behind your data move, the right strategy and proper implementation will ensure you reduce your downtime as much as possible. IT teams come in handy because they know what they’re dealing with and how each application should be handled. For a smooth migration, each step should be geared towards avoiding possible hurdles and proceeding with caution. Here is a four-point checklist to help you ensure nothing goes a miss; Identify migration scope What will you be moving to? This is a crucial starting point because it identifies what is in your current IT environment. Before you begin the move, ensure you have an updated checklist of everything that needs to be moved. This will give you an easy time tracking items throughout the relocation process. Assess platform stability How old is your equipment? Is it likely to malfunction in transport? The health and stability of your platform determine the best way to transport the equipment. Define criticality of data Make sure you’re aware of all the data assets in your possession. The last thing you want to happen is to misplace pieces of data during the move. Know your network An in-depth understanding of your network will save you from confusion on the D-day. Even if you want to seek IT relocation services, you must first map out your network. How can you speed up the entire process? Understand that there will be downtime to be caused by migration Before you start the relocation process, understand that your business will suffer significant downtime. Have an accurate estimation of downtime and find ways to minimize it as much as possible. The method you choose for the migration should allow you to set up the new data center in the shortest time possible, without interfering with anything. Establish how best to Accomplish your Move Once you know how much downtime to expect, the next step is to formulate a relocation methodology. Will you adopt a forklift process where one item will be moved at a time, or do you prefer swing migration that requires utmost uptime? The volumes of data you have and the platforms they’re on will be huge determining factors here. Consider a partner Lastly, consider hiring an IT relocation partner to help you with the move. If your company doesn’t have an adequate internal resource for the relocation, this is the best option. Executing a successful data center relocation needs professional expertise you can get when you hire IT relocation services. Choosing a third-party relocation partner takes the pressure off you and your team. The process will be much easier when you’re getting help from experts. Conclusion As an enterprise that needs IT asset relocation, you need to hire specialists with the right strategy to mitigate all risks involved. The consolidation of data centers is a sensitive undertaking that can easily go wrong. A professional will know how to prevent any disruptions before they even happen. Before you start the migration, ensure you understand your network and every application therein to avoid confusion during the relocation. Read Also: Six Steps to a Successful Office Move Important Things to Transport during a Relocation Factors To Consider While Preparing For A Move 7 Helpful Tips During an Emergency Moving Process

Top User Tips For Getting Started With Salesforce

Salesforce is one of the leading tools for custom retention by streamlining how your organization conducts its business. It allows you access to centralized customer data and enables personalized communications. You can also use it for tracking customer interactions and reviving inactive clients. To effectively use the various functionalities, salesforce employs multiple tools within the software. It can take you some time to master and deploy all these functions effectively. That would mean a waste of resources and losing revenue for the business. 4 User Tips To Getting Started With SalesForce For every organization and the company to apply the sales force, they are going to need some special skills as the goal is different along with the products. But the fundamental strategy of salesforce is remaining the same. In 2021 many new Ai-based techniques will be invented, and if you want to match up with your target, you have to use the following four tips. Here are four of the tips to get you started with salesforce; 1. Plan Ahead Every organization has unique data needs, and the salesforce can be customized to meet these needs. Before you can find the ideal tools for your business, you first have to understand your specific needs. Look into the type of products you deal in and the nature of clients. For example, if you run a contact center, you need to include various aspects like the average talk time, issues for calling, and resolutions. For an eCommerce site, you might need information on abandoned carts and purchased items. Slow down the pace and take the tools slowly as you determine the impact on business processes. You can only expect results if you feed the right data on the system. 2. Invest In Resources To Get The Most Out Of The Salesforce While the salesforce is robust software with multiple functionalities, it is not a standalone tool. You still need other resources like human resources or other software to make it work perfectly. For example, the customization data from the salesforce is not important if you cannot use it when addressing the clients. You still need software like TinyLetter to help you place the specific names on emails and landing pages for personalization. Train the staff on how to get the most out of the salesforce. Let them interact with the platform as they master the multiple resources it comes with. 3. Look For A Consultant The other way to make salesforce work for you is by looking for a consultant or an external contractor. The consultant has the expertise on how best to use the platform depending on your business needs. They have interacted with various businesses and have since mastered what works best for every entity. A consultant also helps you with an external view when setting up the system. Using only the internal can be biased and lead to defective data. You are also better off working with a consultant from the area where the prospective clients come from. For example, look for salesforce consulting companies in Pennsylvania if you are targeting clients around the locality. They have the demographics, and specific customer needs you can use on the platform when generating data. 4. Optimize Your Implementation Once you have set everything up, you need to get the best out of the salesforce by optimizing the implementation. Look for ways to automate key business processes(because you are already acquainted with its importance), win more deals, and improve lead conversion by ensuring consistent speed-to-lead formula. The more you use the platform, the better you get at understanding its limits and how best you can gain from it. Automatic implementations and chatbot customer care both are pretty effective for the salesforce. However, more often, the customers are starting to lose their interest in the products as the companies are taking too much time to answer the product queries. But automatic systems and chatbots do not let you lose your single customer due to late responses. Conclusion: The automatic business process to the new generation's smart business planning, everything belongs in the strategy to match up your sales goals and salesforce. These four tips successfully build a good sales force for your organization. All you have to do is just plan out your strategy and incorporate the salesforce-related business planning. Within a few months, you will start to see the differences. Read Also: Why an Automated Sales CRM Platform is What Your Business Needs Avoiding Sales And Operations Planning Mistakes

How to Select a New Shopping Center Site

Base your decision on stringent selection criteria :

Be prepared to face the challenges in site selection :

Use technology to find the best sites :

Top tips for making business purchases

5 Ways Construction Businesses Can Gain New Clients

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Technologies For Creating A Startup Idea

How to Download Facebook Videos on Android?

7 Rules of Effective Ecommerce Web Design

The 10 WordPress Plugins Every Sucessful Blogger Uses

Follow Us

Recent

Agricultural Consulting Services: Boosting Farm Efficiency and Yield

5 Symptoms Women Entering Into Menopause Should Keep an Eye Out For

How to Download Airtel Thanks App and Recharge Seamlessly in 2025

How to Choose a Gift That Matches Their Personality Perfectly

Related

7 Common Construction Project Management Problems

Questions to Ask Before a Data Center Relocation

Top User Tips For Getting Started With Salesforce

How to Select a New Shopping Center Site

Base your decision on stringent selection criteria :

Be prepared to face the challenges in site selection :

Use technology to find the best sites :

Share this Article

Top tips for making business purchases

5 Ways Construction Businesses Can Gain New Clients

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related