What is the role of shopping centres and retail stores in a post pandemic world?
That was the question I posed last week.
This week, the subject accelerated a hundred kilometres and even changed lanes.
It opened with a landmark court ruling, involving cult footwear retailer Sneakerboy and its landlords.
In April, the Federal Government enacted the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation to help businesses generating under $50 million a year navigate the pandemic with their commercial landlords.
While those protections are set to end in late October, the New South Wales Supreme Court ruling has opened the door for further protection.
Landlords cannot effectively kick out a tenant they’re in dispute with until after the expiration of a reasonable subsequent recovery period, it determined.
The judgement was the first to test the national Code and in particular, wording around how long small business had to get back on their feet when it ended.
This decision has significant implications for both NSW landlords and retailers leading into the key Christmas trading period.
That's an acceleration of the battle for retailers and landlords - now for the changing lanes.
Myer and Amazon.
The long established competitors are now...partners?
The pair have announced the launch of Amazon Hub, a network of Amazon parcel pickup points located at Myer Hub counters in 21 of Myer’s stores.
Upon checkout on Amazon.com.au, customers select the Myer store location most convenient for them as their delivery location.
Myer says the move will entice customers back into stores.
For Amazon, it means an added delivery option and the assurance of a long established local retail partner.
Whether it will only help to cement Amazon's sophisticated distribution proposition - and potentially introduce it to new customers - one thing is becoming clear.
The role of a traditional retail store is changing.
Not only are dark stores and pick up hubs evolving their service proposition, the battle for retail rents is fuelling debate around their value in a post pandemic world.