Western

Whether it’s existing properties, new development, redevelopment or a repositioning effort, the key to success in San Diego’s retail market is to focus on customer experience. You have to make it attractive for them to come out from behind their computer screens, go outside, get some fresh air, look a total stranger in the eye and be social. The market is dominated by the coastal areas between Little Italy and Carlsbad. Primary core centers that are well located and occupied with strong daily needs anchors have the most fundamental stability. Secondary centers in beach-area submarkets have some vacancies but are attractive to tenants due to their proximity to the areas with the highest disposable incomes. Investors of tertiary centers, for the most part, are looking for ways to make their centers’ relevant, with forward-thinking owners investing capital to incorporate a mixed-use component like office, hotel or multifamily. Consumers in San Diego want a vibrant, inviting center with a superior customer experience immersed in beautiful landscape under the sun. The key is having a retail environment with premier anchors to get the customer to the center, along with a great mix of tenants and events to keep the customer at the …