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Positive Outcomes

26 Nov
11:16

Where in the World should retailers look to invest?

Submitted by Catherine Tobiasinsky, EC Harris, Head of Global Retail

The question everyone was asking at the World Retail Congress recently was “in this post-recession environment, where in the world should retailers now be looking to invest and continue their expansion plans?”  It was interesting to hear that it seems the US and Germany have officially recovered from the recession but both need to start to drive consumer demand. No-one can work out why the Germans, with such excellent financial fundamentals, aren’t spending more? US... Read More

0 Comments (3 Ratings)
Where in the World should retailers look to invest?
29 Nov
14:54

How do retailers fight the fire and stay profitable?

Submitted by Mark Bargna, EC Harris, Head of Business Assurance

As the festive season looms large upon us, the ‘elf like army’ of retail entrepreneurs are busy putting into action the branding and marketing campaigns that they hope will drive the public through the doors and provide a much needed boost to both the sector and the economy as a whole. How disappointing then that last week, yet another major retailer has found itself prosecuted and fined for failing to take the necessary precautions to keep its staff and ultimately the public safe.... Read More

0 Comments (7 Ratings)
How do retailers fight the fire and stay profitable?
29 Nov
14:46

Is the shopping centre still relevant?

Submitted by Catherine Tobiasinsky, EC Harris, Head of Global Retail

Did you know that the first in town shopping centre in Los Angeles in 1920's was due to the railways that ran LA at the time and in their effort to bring people into developing West Coast towns? The first Out of Town (OOT) Mall was actually because of the advent of the motorcar and the railways ensured that in-town parking attracted high parking charges which the OOT Mall provided respite from yet still provided the convenience of a shopping centre. Shopping Centres have a key role in... Read More

1 Comment (6 Ratings)
Is the shopping centre still relevant?
18 Feb
15:48

The Retail Re-imaging challenge โ€“ where the breakthroughs are.

Submitted by Colin Turner, EC Harris, Head of Retail

In responding to today’s tough retail climate, the winners are investing shrewdly in the physical brand to make their customer experience distinct, valued and memorable. One of the best examples is the re-image programme underway at McDonalds. We held a breakfast seminar earlier in the week where Henry Trickey – McDonalds VP of Business Development - explained how their UK programme is working. The attendees included senior representatives from major retailers, retail banks and... Read More

1 Comment (8 Ratings)
The Retail Re-imaging challenge โ€“ where the breakthroughs are.
9 Sep
16:26

Where will future retail growth come from?

Submitted by Colin Turner, EC Harris, Head of Retail

As consumers, we all know that the 'retail recession' is finally upon us in the UK and in much of continental Europe. Set against this unfavourable economic backdrop, where will the growth come from? Our Spring/Summer edition of Retail Watch gives three examples of 'self help' measures that are likely to form part of the answer: Reimage stores to drive footfall and increase market share Read here Accelerate expansion in the developing Asia economies... Read More

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Where will future retail growth come from?
22 Feb
12:50

Selling Surplus Attractively

Submitted by Mark Budden, EC Harris, Area Leader, North Asia

Based on recent announcements released by the Chinese Government, 970 million sqm of residential units were sold in 2011, while 1.4 billion sqm of residential projects are currently under construction in China. This shows a significant surplus of residential units in the coming year. Due to these surplus, developers face increasing pressure to attract buyers. Developers are also feeling the heat as the China Banking Regulatory Committee has mandated five years for the collection... Read More

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Selling Surplus Attractively
24 Feb
10:19

Not So Cool!

Submitted by Annabelle Taylor, EC Harris, Marketing manager

As we are organising one of the Educational Site Tour at the CoreNet Global Summit next month in Singapore, I visited uTown to better understand their philosophy and map out what our session. Being part of the Green Mark district programme, the university is now Green Mark Gold certified. What a disappointment it was when i heard they were missing 2 points to be Platinum! The reason why they are... Read More

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Not So Cool!
2 Mar
09:01

All about behaviour!

Submitted by Annabelle Taylor, EC Harris, Marketing manager

I’ve received an email from the Climateers this morning and they were asking people to go beyond the hour of the Earth Hour and set our own energy saving targets to reflect on and change our energy consumption habits. It really got me thinking and especially as a communication professional, you can never neglect the power of your employees! Involve your employees in saving energy. Don’t forget security guards and cleaners--often the lowest-paid support staff can make a... Read More

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All about behaviour!
22 Mar
00:56

Cut of foreign workers, impact on construction!

Submitted by Richard Warburton, EC Harris, Area Leader, South East Asia

I had a TV interview for Channel News Asia yesterday to talk about the cut of Foreign workers in the construction industry in Singapore and thought I'd share few highlights with you... Will there be an impact? There will be an impact as the construction industry accounts for 38% of all work permit holders (excluding domestic workers). Whilst acknowledging that transition arrangements are in place over next 2 years , we need to consider both the short... Read More

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Cut of foreign workers, impact on construction!
22 Mar
01:16

Views on 2012 February Property price in China

Submitted by Mark Budden, EC Harris, Area Leader, North Asia

Here are some of my thoughts on last month Property Price report in China. On property prices As China’s Premier Wen Jiabao recently reiterated, the central government is determined to continue its efforts to curb real estate speculation. These policies are expected to be maintained for the foreseeable future. As a result, I believe that China’s property prices will likely continue their downward trend, likely going into the... Read More

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Views on 2012 February Property price in China
30 Mar
04:06

Leading by example

Submitted by Christopher Chew, EC Harris, Senior Project Manager

 As I walked pass the contractor’s site office this morning, lights were turned on, computers flashing graphics and the air-conditioning working hard (maybe since yesterday?!). And there’s hardly anyone in yet! Here’s a reality check - It is Earth Hour tomorrow and this is a gentle reminder we all need to watch out our energy consumption. This month also marks one year since the tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan. As we take a solemn moment... Read More

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Leading by example
12 Apr
19:04

Concessions ease Foreign Worker Restrictions in Singapore

Submitted by Richard Warburton, EC Harris, Area Leader, South East Asia

A restriction on the employment of new foreign workers, introduced in the 2012 Singapore Budget, was a challenge on the Construction industry that I highlighted in my latest blog. The potential impact of this restriction has however been reduced over the last few days with an announcement by the Singapore Government that the maximum period of employment for existing unskilled work permit holders will be increased from six years to ten years. Allowing the retention of skilled operatives in the... Read More

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Concessions ease Foreign Worker Restrictions in Singapore
24 Apr
09:43

Just around the corner or a distant dream?

Submitted by Andrew Macpherson, EC Harris, Partner

   I have attended a number of conferences recently  including RICS “Fit for the Future” Conference in Beijing. Opinions from these conferences together with feedback from our own clients regarding the current status of Property and Facility Management in China prompted me to write this blog. In regions with rapidly developing built assets and an apparent rush to beat competitors, it’s little wonder there is a focus on development management, and... Read More

0 Comments (1 Rating)
Just around the corner or a distant dream?