The Shopping Centre industry is driven by people. It’s the skills and expertise of the people that manage, develop and evolve shopping centres for their communities that creates this great industry. Shopping Centre News profiles a range of interesting people from the industry each week. This week we talk to Simon Johnson who has recently joined Home Consortium. As Head of Real Estate, Simon is responsible for all leasing functions, strategic asset management and portfolio growth of 41 centres across five states. Having worked on both the landlord and retail side, Simon believes the relationship between the two parties can be aligned and the parties can have a very successful partnership.
Can you give us a thumbnail sketch of your career in property?
I completed my university degree – bachelor of applied science (property economics) in 1997. From 1999 until 2004 I worked in London for HSBC Bank as Retail Property Asset Manager. 2004 until 2006 I was Leasing Executive for Westfield in Sydney. 2006 until 2015 I spent 10 years with Queensland investment Corporation (QIC) as Project Leasing Manager on Canberra Centre, Castle Towers and Westpoint Blacktown. Mid 2015 was major turning point when I swapped sides and went from landlord to retailer. I was appointed Chief Development Officer at Guzman Y Gomez (GYG).
Following three expanding years at GYG I recently departed to secure Head of Real Estate at Home Consortium.
Who are Home Consortium?
Home Consortium is national real estate portfolio of ex-masters hardware stores. The company was formed in June 2016 so only two years old with more than 40 assets across five states – QLD, NSW, VIC, SA and WA.
The Company was formed by retailers, property developers and financial experts. Our portfolio covers more than 1.5m m2 of land and 485,000m2 of net lettable area. During 2018, 2019 and 2020 we will reopen all these centres as daily needs, leisure, lifestyle, electrical and homewares centres.
Braybrook Centre in Victoria opens on the 24th October 2018
What does your new role involve and what excites you about it?
My role at Home Consortium is Head of Real Estate. I’m responsible for all leasing functions, strategic asset management and portfolio growth. Of our 40 centres we currently have 16 open and trading with another 20 centres opening during 2019.
The exciting part of my role is the diversity and challenge of turning a Masters hardware store into a daily needs centre like at Braybrook, Victoria. On the 24 October 2018 we will reopen the first Masters store in Australia into 4,153m2 Coles plus Liquorland, two mini majors and 14 specialty stores.
Can you tell us about your time at GYG and what you achieved on the ‘retail side’?
For three years I was CDO (Chief Development Officer) at Guzman y Gomez. During these years I grew the brand from some 60 stores to securing over 125 stores in Australia. Over doubling the brands store numbers in three years was a massive achievement. In 2018 we were awarded QSR multi site restaurant of the year award and recognised as Australia’s fastest growing Mexican restaurant and QSR drive thru restaurant concept. GYG is now represented in every state in Australia (except Tasmania).
Guzman y Gomez, World Square Sydney
What could help the relationships between retailers and landlords?
Having worked on both sides – retailer (GYG) and landlord (Westfield, QIC and now Home Consortium), I strongly believe the relationship between the two parties can be aligned and the parties can have a very successful partnership. Retailers need landlords and landlords definitely need retailers.
What do you think makes a successful shopping centre?
The key elements to making a successful shopping centre is easy and convenience access while offering the customer an enjoyable and safe shopping experience with the right tenant in the right location. I strongly believe retail is NOT dead and retail shopping centres will always be relevant to all customers. Humans will always be connected to retail via the five senses:
- touch
- look
- smell
- taste
- hear
How do you see the future for shopping centres?
I believe shopping centres will always continue to develop and change as per customer demand changes. Centres will be become more and more mixed-used and provide many channels of retail – whether it be more services, technology, lifestyle, leisure, entertainment, food and beverage and even residential, hotel or commercial.
