That Retail Property Guy
Welcome to That Retail Property Guy, the podcast where retail property expert Gary Marshall champions retail tenants and empowers professionals across the industry. With a career spanning decades, a dozen retailers, and millions in recovered losses for leading UK retailers, Gary shares his unparalleled knowledge to help retail tenants protect their rights, navigate leases, and maximise opportunities often overlooked by landlords, estates and accounts teams.
This podcast is your go-to resource for unlocking the mysteries of retail property. Whether you're an experienced professional, a mid-sized chain, or someone just starting in the industry, Gary’s insights will help you build confidence, avoid pitfalls, and thrive in this complex field.
Through practical advice, real-world examples, and interviews with industry leaders, That Retail Property Guy is dedicated to fostering development and knowledge-sharing for the next generation of retail property experts.
Listen weekly and discover how small insights can lead to big wins for retail tenants everywhere. Start your journey to retail property mastery today!
That Retail Property Guy
Retail brands We've Loved and Lost - and the Part That Property Plays
Loved and Lost: The Evolution of Retail Brands - and Their Property Portfolios
In this episode of 'That Retail Property Guy,' host Gary Marshall explores the intersection of estate management and retail tenancy, focusing on the demise of beloved retail brands. Gary shares insights on the potential sale of WHSmith's property portfolio and reminisces about lost brands like Woolworths, BHS, and Debenhams. He also discusses the financial struggles faced by retailers, the impact on local communities, and what alternative strategies, like Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), could have done to possibly save them. The episode concludes with a call to not hastily close businesses but seek expert advice to explore sustainable options.
00:00 That Retail Property Guy
00:24 The Decline of WH Smith and Other Retail Giants
01:00 Nostalgia for Lost Brands
02:58 The Impact of Store Closures
06:56 Rescue Stories and Survival Tactics
07:49 Understanding Financial Struggles in Retail
08:35 Navigating Lease and Rent Challenges
12:30 The Role of CVAs in Retail Survival
14:34 Reflecting on Woolworths and Lessons Learned
15:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Historic England on the demise of Woolworths
WHSmith in talks to sell all stores (Retail Gazette)
Times UK on Carpetright customers owed £8m
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