Food Fight!

There are few sectors in British retailing that rival the cut throat nature that is to found amongst the players in the food retailing sector.  Famously robust with suppliers and heartless with each other, the big four retailers continue to battle for their share of the UK’s £150+ billion grocery shop.

Competition is fierce; Tesco, the UK’s biggest retailer with over 2,700 stores is said to be losing ground to its competitors.  Even though special sales promotion campaigns have seen an increase in footfall, revenue has fallen.  Following years of aggressive acquisition of new sites for superstores and its branded Tesco Local the recent promotion of Kevin Grace, its UK Property Director since 2006 to Group Commercial Director, has perhaps signalled an end to that phase of the giant’s growth.

Northern retailing heavyweight, Morrison’s, continues it drive into the south with at least nine new superstores opened in the last quarter.  It will continue to catch up with the competition in the convenience store battle, only two opened so far this year.  A new regional distribution facility at Bridgwater will pick up load though the next quarter.

J Sainsbury has a healthy profile at this point with profits showing a 7% increase to nearly £400 million.  Having been acquisitive in their portfolio development they have added 596,000 sq ft of new space, including seven new stores, 15 extensions and 37 convenience stores, which bring the convenience stores total to 400.  Their property value has increased to an estimated £10.9 billion, as at 1 October 2011.  Yield has remained stable at 4.9%.

Asset Strategy or Asset Lethargy?

James Alexander Consultants are helping bring clarity to the challenges the asset portfolio’s of their clients bring.  Determining the relevance your owned or leased assets has to your business and its long term effect is fundamental to ensuring you have the correct profile in place.  Planning and managing the utilisation of those assets and their place in your business is our speciality.

James Alexander Consultants are expert in assessing your portfolio and, with you, determining a strategy to develop the correct balance of assets, their relevance and performance for you.  We develop, plan and implement the strategy, leaving you to focus on core activity and opportunity.

Our focus is to maximise the opportunity your built and land assets brings to your business whilst minimising the liabilities.  Get in touch with us to see how we can help you address lease related problems, acquisitions or disposals and help bring your portfolio into line for your business needs.

eMail us on innovation@jaltd.co.uk or see our contact page for our numbers.  We look forward to speaking with you.

Empty Homes to Benefit the Homeless

The forthcoming Christmas period and its attendant celebrations will once again highlight the needs of those who do not have the security of their own roof over their heads.  The plight of those who are homeless or sharing accommodation that is unsuitable for their needs will undoubtedly be brought to light.

Communities Minister Andrew Stunell has said that that it was a top Government priority to bring empty properties across the country back into use, and ensure these are available for people in need of a new home.

Mr Stunell said:

"The number of empty homes in this country is a national scandal. There is a clear and pressing need for new homes in this country, yet for every two families that need a home there is one standing empty”.

The recent Housing Strategy included an additional £50 million to help areas with the worst concentrations of empty properties, whilst the Coalition is also consulting on giving councils the power to charge an Empty Homes Premium - worth up to 50 per cent of council tax - on properties that have been left vacant for more than two years.

Housing Minister, Grant Shapps (@grantshapps) has Tweeted his concerns for the homeless and the actions that can be taken to help address this situation and the returning of empty property onto the housing stock can only be a move in the right direction.

Councils, housing associations and voluntary groups can apply for a share of £100 million Government funding to help bring more empty homes back into use.  Latest figures show that over the past year the numbers of long-term empty homes has fallen by over 21,000 - the biggest year-on-year drop since 2004.  Last year, councils delivered 159,000 properties - both newly built homes and empty homes brought back into use.