Services
The CM&R Group offers a proven outsourced solution for managing new and existing retail real estate, with a combined emphasis on strategic planning and tactical implementation. Our clients include emerging brands establishing their retail profile, international brands expanding in North America, and mature brands in the process of repositioning.
Companies have turned to us in virtually every stage of retailing, from brand launches and expansions to rent reductions and store closings, as well as renewal and repositioning. Our goal is to know everything about our clients’ products and their potential customers in order to assess the best real estate possibilities by market and by type. We continually track the changing landscape in all facets of retail and real estate.
Our fully integrated services include market/site analysis and selection, portfolio management, negotiation of all transactional terms, capital allocation and preservation, store planning and construction, and due diligence for companies considering expansion and reallocation, as well as private equity firms seeking to invest in retail companies.
Market/Site Analysis and Selection: Through our own brand of market analysis, we match retailers with the right space for their business needs and objectives. Our recommendations are based on real world experience, combined with technical information such as customer store data, mapping, psychographics, and demographics. Based on our assessment of venues (including malls, non-mall centers, outlets and street retail), we select locations best positioned to build and strengthen brand presence and maximize profitability. Making a deal is one thing. Making the right deal for our client is quite another.
Portfolio Management: At CM&R, we know the big picture is important. We assess the retail landscape for retailers seeking to reposition their brands, eliminate inefficiencies and redundancies, leverage multi-branded opportunities, and/or develop strategies to restructure or reallocate real estate assets. We develop strategies for delivering optimal return on investment by highlighting possible synergies, identifying unnecessary costs, and recommending opportunities within reach. This requires a discerning approach, which includes developing and implementing best practices.
Due Diligence:We also understand that the details matter. At CM&R, we perform due diligence on existing retail portfolios and potential acquisitions. We analyze real estate portfolios for private equity firms considering investment in retail companies, for management consultants working with retailers to rebuild their brands and operations, and for retail companies considering expansion or consolidation. Our assessments can help position retailers on a continuum of circumstances, from emerging brands to those in transition or seeking to achieve the next level of performance.
Negotiation of Transactional Terms: We are advocates for our clients. We will recommend they say “no” to a deal if it’s not the right opportunity for their business. We also know it is important to maintain successful landlord relationships, so when we identify the right opportunity, we are in a strong position to bring people to the table. With every location, we benchmark relevant retailers, and work to secure the most beneficial financial scenario possible. We make recommendations that further leverage opportunities to address the wide variety of economic, legal and non-economic provisions which impact a lease commitment.
Capital Allocation and Preservation: The CM&R Group establishes “real estate action plans” for every existing location and works with clients to develop budgets based on these plans and capital considerations. We analyze all variables, including location, center viability, market competition, traffic, sales, store size, profitability and economics in order to generate optimal return on investment. This calls for a combination of strategically allocating existing capital and anticipating long-term expenses.
Store Planning and Construction: We are engaged in the client process from theory and concept to reality. Regular and effective communication between real estate and construction is essential to ensuring that budgets are met and timely store openings are achieved. We recommend and monitor critical standards for key milestones, regular checkpoints, and quality of information delivery amongst all stakeholders.
