by Kimberley Donoghue, PBN Web Editor [Published online September 14, 2010]
Article provided by Carmen R. Austin, MBA, CCIM, Associate Broker for Saurage Commercial Real Estate
NEW YORK – U.S. retailers and suppliers are an optimistic group, according to the second annual retail outlook study released by CIT Group Tuesday, which revealed 65 percent of retailers and 69 percent of suppliers believe consumer spending may return to 2007 levels by the end of 2011.
“While the majority of retailers are cautiously optimistic about their future, more than two-thirds expect revenues to grow over the next 12 months,” said Burt Feinberg, managing director and industry group head of retail finance at CIT. “The general consensus is that, having weathered the economic downturn, most retailers are in better shape today than in 2009 and have positioned themselves well to meet future consumer demand when it returns.”
The CIT Group revealed that the industry is “undergoing a transformation” in this year’s study, “U.S. Small Business and Middle Market Outlook 2010: Retailers and their Suppliers—Smarter. Leaner. Cautiously Optimistic.” To read this article in its entirety click HERE.
Please feel free to send questions or comments to carmen@saurage.com.
Carmen has been a practicing commercial real estate broker with Saurage Commercial Real Estate since 2001. She is a graduate of the Louisiana State University (LSU) E.J. Ourso College of Business and the LSU Flores Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Program with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and Real Estate Finance. Her experience includes past employment as Regional Director of Leasing at Commercial Properties Realty Trust the for-profit arm of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. Carmen’s affiliations include Louisiana REALTORS®,Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® Commercial Investment Division, International Council of Shopping Centers, Commercial Real Estate Women, Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute, National Association of REALTORS®, and Urban Land Institute. She is also an active volunteer on the board of directors for the Baton Rouge Gallery, LSU MBA Alumni Association, Junior Achievement of Baton Rouge, and the Junior League of Baton Rouge. Carmen currently serves as the 2010 President of the Louisiana CCIM Chapter.
Saurage Company, Inc dba Saurage Commercial Real Estate was founded in Baton Rouge in 1991 with the purpose of providing exceptional real estate services with an emphasis on commercial property and property management. Saurage Commercial Real Estate offers to its clients a full range of real estate services including brokerage, investment advising, development consulting, REO disposition specialists, asset management, fee based consulting, tenant representation, and buyer representation. The staff of professionals includes combined experience of 50 years, as well as CCIM Designees and Candidates and recipients of Master of Business Administration.
