How COVID-19 will change UK retail leasing

Seventy-nine per cent of UK retail property owners believe COVID-19 will change how property is leased and the terms under which it’s occupied. Tenants likely will base terms on advanced data, according to a Colliers International survey. Such data as footfall, trading turnover and how physical shops help generate online sales will be used to set lease rates. Retail Gazette

UK retail sales plunge 19.1 per cent in April

British retail sales declined by 19.1 per cent in April compared to the same period last year, thanks to the COVID-19 lockdown. The British Retail Consortium said it’s the steepest fall since the trade group’s index launched in 1995. Reuters

UK footfall strengthened in second half of April

UK retail footfall declined by 80.1 per cent year over year in April, according to retail data firm Springboard. Retail parks saw the most traffic, though footfall there still plunged 68.1 per cent. Footfall at high-street retail declined 83.3 per cent and traffic at shopping centres dropped 84.8 per cent. Total retail footfall declined 81.4 per cent year over year in the first two weeks of April and improved to a 77.4 per cent year-over-year decline in the second half of the month. Retail Destination

European retail investment deals declined precipitously in March

European property investment deals declined 75 per cent year over year in March, according to Real Capital Analytics. Transactions totaling less than 100 million euros showed the biggest decline. Retail and office properties accounted for two-thirds of broken deals during the period. Property Funds World

More UK eateries open for takeaway service

M&S will reopen 49 of its 420 in-store cafés to serve takeaway, as Britain tentatively eases its COVID-19 lockdown. The company’s cafés and clothing and home retail departments have been closed since March 18, but its grocery business has remained open. McDonald’s, Pret and Starbucks also are opening a portion of UK stores for takeaway. Reuters

Home-improvement chain Wickes reopening stores in UK

Wickes will reopen its stores in phases over the next two weeks. “In recent weeks, we have taken time to review in great detail how to operate our stores safely in the wake of COVID-19, and we are confident we have put the right measures in place to achieve this,” chief executive David Wood said. Eight of 10 customers in trial stores described their safety and security experiences as excellent, he said. Retail Gazette

Czech malls and movie theatres reopen to light business

After two months under a COVID-19 lockdown, cinemas, malls and other businesses have reopened in the Czech Republic. Theatres require guests to sit at least six metres apart. TRT World

Intu’s profit from Spanish centre sale will total 115 million euros

Intu closed its sale of the Puerto Venecia shopping centre in Spain to Generali Shopping Centre Fund and Union Investment Real Estate for 475.3 million euros. Intu will receive 237.7 million euros and will net 115 million euros after repayment of debt, working capital adjustments and taxation, the company said. Property Week

Landsec devalues portfolio after rent-collection woes

U.K. landlord Landsec’s retail portfolio has dropped 20 per cent in value thanks to COVID-19 lockdowns. The company said rent intake slumped to 63 per cent in March and early April, compared with 94 per cent a year earlier. The group expects rent-collection rates to worsen in June. Retail Gazette

Neinver hires leasing director from McArthurGlen

Neinver named Stephan Fickl as group leasing director to steer leasing strategy for the company’s 23 assets across six European countries. In his 20-year career, Fickl has worked for McArthurGlen, ECE, Woolworths and Klépierre. Across