Though the past few years have seen slow and cautious moves on the commercial real estate market, 2012 has been marked by some as a time for rapid growth and expansion of chains in retail and food service, meaning it could be time for businesses to bolster and reassess their real estate portfolio management options.
Earlier in 2012, H&M's made an announcement, as reported by Chain Store Age, that the clothing retailer would open 275 new locations in the new year despite a difficult financial 2011. In a similar show of faith, restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill is set to open 155-166 new locations in the face of market challenges. QSR reports that the difficulties for the restaurant include raw ingredient prices, but that co-CEO Montgomery Moran remains upbeat about the pending real estate transactions.
The restaurant "will face the challenge of finding the right real estate on time and for the appropriate cost," analyst Bart Glenn said in a statement to investors reported by Forbes.
For chains with an interest in adding new locations, early 2012 could be the time to undertake a new real estate portfolio management strategy. With executives sensing opportunity even in the face of difficult financial circumstances, fast-moving companies could have the best return on investment.
