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 speak to Simon Dyer, National Woolworths Portfolio Director at Colliers International.
What is your current role and main responsibilities?
I am part of the Colliers Retail Real Estate Management team and have recently moved into the Director – National Woolworths Portfolio role. My four and a half years with Colliers prior to this involved managing a mixed portfolio of 25 to 30 retail, large format and other properties across NSW.
How did you get in to this industry?
I was on the other side of the fence for some time, having held various positions for retailers such as David Jones, Howards Storage World and Terry White Chemists. It gave me a great grounding in understanding retail from the coalface and what it takes to become a sustainable business.
Marina Square
Tell us a little bit about your career
My first foray into shopping centre management was with The GPT Group when Rouse Hill Town Centre was being developed – an amazing experience working on such a unique asset. I stayed with GPT for six years in various centre management roles on Norton Plaza, Forestway Shopping Centre and QLD Homemaker Portfolio (Aspley, Jindalee and Fortitude Valley) before moving to the agency world seven years ago and haven’t looked back. I’ve really enjoyed my time working on a terrific and interesting mix of great properties.
What do you love most about your job?
The ever changing dynamics of retail: new usages, interesting retailers, tailored services, resonating product ranges and the omni-channel approach of our successful retail operators.
Glenrose Village
What is your most memorable moment of your career?
Managing two shopping centres that were in the top 10 most productive (sales per square metre – SCN Mini Guns) in the country.
What do you think makes a successful shopping centre?
I’m a huge fan of great placemaking initiatives and spaces that connect to the heart of the community. These newly evolving mixed spaces with residential, open spaces, tailored retail offering, community services, quality dining and transit hub proximity will be top of mind for where our next generation will choose to live and play.
What motivates you?
Being part of delivering an exceptional customer experience. The small wins are often the most rewarding – our team had delivered the first ever ‘pet parking’ installation many years ago at Forestway Shopping Centre. It’s rewarding to see it rolled out in so many places now.
Pet Parking, Forestway Shopping Centre
What are some of the trends you are seeing in the industry?
The continual move to non-discretionary retail and services to meet the needs of the local community. High quality fresh food and casual dining options, a great customer experience and a reason to continually return are the keys to making your shopping centre bullet proof.
What’s three words that describe you?
Focused, resilient and hungry.
How do you manage stakeholders?
Listen, align, exceed expectations, deliver memorable service and be in lock step with their desired outcomes and objectives.
What do you do to keep learning and growing in your career?
Surround yourself with strong mentors, excellent leaders and a collaborative environment. Having been with an outstanding REIT like GPT and now with the awesome and inspiring Colliers team – opportunities for growth and learning off the best in the industry have been most rewarding.
Marina Square
What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry?
Listen (a lot), network across departments, create connections, foster great relationships, don’t burn bridges, refer & collaborate, know the fundamentals, add value and over deliver.
What innovation would you like to see implemented in the shopping centre industry?
Currently seeing some interesting artificial intelligence initiatives that ‘take over’ your HVAC/BMS systems and operate it at optimum efficiency. This results in energy savings, sustainability measures and extending the life cycle of plant and equipment.
Do you like shopping?
You have to right?! We are privileged to manage such a diverse range of properties like the iconic No. 1 Martin Place, Glenrose Village, Marina Square, Norton Plaza and a raft of high performing Woolworths neighbourhood shopping centres. Shopping keeps me glued to our industry with eyes wide open to keep abreast of the ever changing retail environment.
What is the single most important quality you need to possess to be in this industry?
Always use astute judgement. There are so many variables, risks, opportunities and threats in our day to day. You must distil the information, map it out and overlay solution based judgement thinking to what you wish to achieve for your owners.
Want to be profiled? It’s the perfect time to share your career and experience which connects all of us. Contact Belinda Daly, belinda@shoppingcentrenews.com.au
