The number of shopping centre transactions slowed dramatically in July, while cap rates posted a reversal of their downwards trend. The Data App estimate transactions, whether measured by number, volume or value, in the three months to July, were again well down on this time last year. Furthermore, cap rates, after hitting a sub 5% cyclical low last month, rebounded to 5.3%.
Rising interest rates and inflation, tied in with a high dose of economic uncertainty, could see Australian retail property values experience meaningful falls from current levels, as investors adjusts to new post-pandemic economic conditions.
Over the course of the last two years or so, shopping centre transactions have boomed, aided by a surge in excess liquidity, both in Australia and elsewhere, boosting both real and financial asset values. This was also assisted by policy makers hammering interest rates to the floor.
Even though the number of shopping centre transactions nudged up again in June, the trend continues to moderate. According to The Data App estimates, in the three months to June, the number, volume and value of shopping centre transactions are all well down on a year ago. Cap rates also hit another new cyclical low, going under 5% for the first time.
Although Sydney and Perth are separated by over 3,000 kilometres and have undertaken vastly different pandemic policy setting, there are behavioural changes which have become common to both cities. An analysis of commuting patterns, as well as commercial and residential property markers, illustrates the flow-on effects of increased working from home; a practice which has become more prevalent following the pandemic.
As Australia emerges from the COVID 19 pandemic, there is growing evidence of the behavioural changes which have been made in the way people live, work and shop; all of which is likely to have long term implications for our major cities.
Even though last remnants of the restrictions have extensively been lifted, some significant difference in Post COVID Perth remain. The City has changed.
An analysis of commuting patterns, as well as commercial and residential property markers, illustrates the flow-on effects of increased working from home; a practice which has become more prevalent following the pandemic.
Whilst the number of shopping centre transactions edged higher in May, the trend remains a slowing trajectory. Also, in the three months to May, at a shade over 5%, cap rates hit a new cyclical low. The Data App estimate, in the three months to May, compared to a year earlier, the number, volume (sqm) and value of shopping centre transactions all moderated. It is increasingly apparent, after the surge in transactions last year, totalling $13.6bn in value, transactional activity is returning closer to historical levels.
Now that Australia has emerged from the COVID 19 pandemic, there is growing evidence of the behavioural changes Sydneysiders have made in the way they live, work and shop; all of which is likely to have long term impacts on the city.
The PAR Group’s latest study examined changes to commuting patterns and commercial property occupancy and yields, e-commerce spending, and residential transactions from pre-pandemic levels, to identify the impact, so far, of the COVID 19 pandemic on the way Sydney residents live, work and shop.
Maintaining the trend, which commenced at the start of the year, shopping centre transactions continued to slow in April. In addition, commercial retail cap rates, in the three months to April, declined further, hitting a cyclical low in the process. The Data App estimate, whether compared to the previous three months or a year earlier, the number, volume (sqm) and value of shopping centre transactions all moderated. This reflected the combination of a surge in transactional activity through the course of last year and the current easing. Increasingly, it seems, the boom in shopping centre transactions, which was a dominant feature through the course of last year, has now passed.
Shopping centre transactions have moderated. Even though transactions are higher than a year earlier, the first quarter of this year has witnessed a distinct slowing in activity. Compared to the first quarter of last year, The Data App estimate, all the transactional measures are higher, while cap rates have declined. However, it was around April last year when shopping centre transactions picked up dramatically; a trend which continued through to the end of the year. Clearly, some of the slowing in the market is seasonal, but there are growing indications the boom which took place last year has passed.
`Nearly two years since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, evidence is emerging of how the pandemic has impacted the Australian economy and changed the expected trajectory of Australia’s six largest capital city office markets.
A review of current office market vacancy rates, compared to industry forecasts made prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, indicates there is just under 500,000 sqm of more vacant space than expected in Australia’s six largest CBD office markets.
