RETAIL INVESTMENT SALES COULD FLAT-LINE IN SECOND HALF OF 2012

By Bill Jeansonne, Commercial Investment Specialist for Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate

Anyone involved in commercial real estate should keep a clear eye on national trends while maintaining an even closer monitor on local activity. South Louisiana has seldom been an accurate reflection of the nation as a whole, but we will always be impacted by the overall market.As a part of the total commercial market, the retail sector is an example of national trends compared to local activity. In an article from RetailTraffic entitled “Retail Investment Sales Could Flat-Line in Second Half of 2012,” the title says it all. 

Retail sales cannot lead a market so much as it reflects a market. Locally, retailers have enjoyed greater overall success than other parts of the country. The article makes reference to large vacancies and how, nationally, the retail sector remains in the recession cycle “with full-steam recovery not expected until year-end 2014.” The viewpoint expressed is that “the second half of 2012 might resemble the pattern the industry witnessed in 2011,” strong beginning/subdued second half.

Again, local south Louisiana retailers will not make final decisions on national trends but it would be imprudent to disregard these national trends.

To access the article from RetailTraffic click HERE.

To view this week’s Featured Property click HERE.

Bill Jeansonne, a native of Alexandria, Louisiana, received both his undergraduate degree and master’s in business administration (MBA) from Louisiana State University (LSU). Bill has 13 years experience in the commercial and industrial real estate business and 14 years experience in commercial and industrial warehouse design and sale of handling equipment. His specializations include commercial and industrial development, brokerage, and leasing, as well as lease negotiations and tenant build outs.

A Designee member of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM), Bill’s professional memberships include Baton Rouge’s Commercial Investment Division (CID), the LSU MBA Alumni Association, a founding member of the board of managers for the Louisiana Commercial Data Base (LACDB), a member of Louisiana REALTORS® (LR), a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Bill has also served as a president of CID, a chairman of the CID Trends Program, a chairman of the LSU MBA Alumni Association Louisiana Looking Up Program, and on the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) Trends committee. His current civic affiliations and past service include board chairman of the Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation, president of the Capitol SERTOMA Club of Baton Rouge, member of the Cadets of the Ole War Skule, and an alumnus of Omicron Delta Kappa (OΔK).

Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate is a member of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce (BRAC); the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce; the Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau; the Louisiana Commercial Data Base (LACDB); and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Several agents, on an individual basis, are members of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR), the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM); the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR); and the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® Commercial Investment Division (CID).