Jim Tsagalis

Just as luxury goods retailers are coy about who their clients are, retail leasing agents are equally coy about which brand name stores are considering a move to Perth.

The local retail market is emerging from the economic downturn in good shape.

LIMITED opportunities at Perth's premier strip shopping locations will keep rental values at current levels, as existing retailers hang onto their leases and rarely choose to exit the coveted locations.

THE local bulky goods business is entering a consolidation phase after a three-year period of sustained growth, according to industry analysts.

BIG box liquor stores have been threatening to overwhelm the traditional players for a decade, much as their hardware counterparts have become dominant in that market.

DEVELOPERS and shopping centre owners are making significant investments to capitalise on the state government’s Activity Centres planning policy.

Four Perth property sales worth $210 million have been announced in the past fortnight, including Herdsman’s largest office building, an iconic city shopping arcade and two industrial properties.

PERTH’S property market has had a busy start to the year, with offshore investors and local syndicators negotiating five purchases worth about $230 million.

The arrival of a clutch of new international brands in coming years has the potential to rejuvenate the city retail sector, which has been hit by softer spending and the extended shopping hours at suburban centres.

Retail supply is at a premium in the CBD, and several overseas names are set to add to the space race this year.

FJM Property has begun the leasing campaign for the retail and hospitality component of the State Buildings, part of the $580 million Cathedral and Treasury Precinct.

After 10 years of limited development, Perth’s major shopping centres are expanding and evolving.

Retail property players say international fashion brands are only the beginning of the global onslaught.

City councils are being urged to make it easier for local retail strips to be revitalised.

Expansion of Western Australia’s retail space is not keeping up with the state’s population growth, falling short by around 200,000 square metres, according to a new survey by the Property Council of Australia.

Australand has launched the tender process to find a builder for its planned $21.4 million Port Coogee shopping centre, after a strong response from retailers keen to secure a store in the masterplanned community which is rapidly taking shape.

SPECIAL REPORT: Uncertain economic conditions mean ensuring a brand meets its market targets is increasingly important.

While storm clouds gather over office assets and land development comes off the boil, interest in retail property is building as investors look for somewhere secure to park their cash. Click through to see our list of WA's top 10 locally-based shopping centre owners.

The traditionally dominant players in Australian retail are being forced to reinvent themselves in the face of increased competition – from each other, and a host of international raiders.

PHOTO ESSAY: Business News photographer Attila Csaszar captured images of some of WA's business and political leaders at their workstations.

Lease Equity has signalled strong intentions to shake-up Perth commercial office sales, widening its focus outside of retail property by establishing a capital markets division headed up by industry stalwart Brett Wilkins.

SPECIAL REPORT: New office development is grinding to a halt, but landlords are nonetheless aggressive in attempts to attract tenants to the city.

Notching up 15 years in business, and managing more than $1.1 billion in combined retail rents for clients over that time, is a significant achievement in any industry.

SPECIAL REPORT: Property groups are chasing retail opportunities in Perth’s CBD with a pipeline of upgrades and developments worth more than $250 million.

SPECIAL REPORT: Developers and investors are looking beyond office buildings to explore a variety of property opportunities across Perth.