The retail landscape is well-placed in 2025 with encouraging retail spending trends, continued low supply pipeline, strong buyer demand and dwindling redemption requests. These factors, combined with forecast shifts in monetary policy, should lay a platform for continued strong transactional demand and investment outperformance.

However, the retail sector continues to experience economic challenges. While directionally positive, the outlook remains volatile, with heightened geopolitical uncertainty, an upcoming federal election, state economy disparity, low GDP growth and associated productivity – meaning consumers remain cautious in an environment of still elevated costs of living.

In response to these challenges, Lewis Land has maintained its commitment to delivering premium retail experiences. We have implemented a cohesive strategy that integrates every facet of our business, centred around our vision of ‘creating extraordinary places’. As we look to the coming year, our focus will be on key areas that position us for long-term success in this dynamic retail landscape.

The evolution of Outlet 

The past year has seen a noticeable increase in consumers prioritising value and competitive price points, resulting in strong performance across our Outlet centres. Harbour Town Premium Outlets, both on the Gold Coast and in Adelaide, have delivered growth across all the retail metrics – Moving Annual Turnover (MAT), Specialty Sales and Traffic, outperforming broader retail trends in Australia.

We understand customers view our Outlet destinations as more than just places to find discounts – they see them as retail and leisure experiences. Consumers are seeking unique retail adventures, hoping to discover products from leading brands at exceptional value in an engaging and high-quality environment. Lewis Land has recently completed strategic refurbishments across both our centres to ensure we deliver on our customer’s expectation of an elevated shopping experience. This commitment to continual improvement is key to maintaining our market leadership in the premium Outlet space.

Our focus over the coming year is building on our optimal Outlet tenancy mix –anchoring must-have global and national brands while also introducing first-to outlet retailers to give our customers access to new and exciting offerings.

Historically, Outlet centres have been viewed as channels to clear end-of-season stock. Now there is a shift in how premium brands approach Outlet retail. More luxury and aspirational brands are recognising Outlet stores as an opportunity to connect with new customers beginning their journey with premium products. This not only enhances accessibility but also builds brand loyalty from the outset. Additionally, our retail partners are making significant investments in high-quality shop fit-outs, elevating the overall customer experience with their brands and reinforcing our centres’ status as premium shopping destinations.

Deepening customer understanding

Recognising that customer insights are the foundation of success, our teams are dedicated to data-driven testing and learning, ensuring our centres remain at the forefront of emerging retail trends. We utilise learnings from regular research undertaken with customers and the broader community to inform future capital investment and to lead our national leasing and centre management teams to achieve the best outcomes.

Tourism continues to play a pivotal role in our strategy to be a leading Outlet shopping destination. In a competitive environment where international tourists have limited time when visiting Australia, we have introduced unique experiences and offerings to differentiate our retail Outlet destinations based on insights and relationships with the tourism trade industry. Our Gold Coast centre recently introduced a First Nations Bush Tucker Garden, which offers an authentic cultural and educational experience for visitors. Our investment in complementary products and customer services via our Tourism Guest Lounge further enhances our ability to attract both domestic and international visitors, reinforcing our centres as must-visit retail destinations.

While Outlet shopping has been traditionally associated with less frequent customer visitation, we have strategically worked to build customer loyalty by integrating Outlet value with elements of a hybrid convenience mall. Our enhanced mix of entertainment, essential services, and casual dining and restaurants is a direct result of meeting the needs of our customers, providing more reasons for them to visit while also achieving higher foot traffic.

Collaborating with retail partners We collaborate continuously with our retailer partners which allows them to be more proactive in right-sizing their stores to maximise sales productivity and efficiency. Our teams are consistently pushing the boundaries to deliver a best-in-class retail mix while also supporting the incubation of ‘new to outlet’ entrants such as Australian designers and premium lifestyle brands.

Looking ahead

As we navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape, our focus remains on being responsive to shifting consumer trends. We are optimistic about our position in the retail market and our team are committed to embracing and adapting to change.

By driving growth and return on investment, strengthening operational resilience, and laying the groundwork for long-term success, Lewis Land is well-positioned to continue delivering retail experiences. Our commitment to investing in innovation ensures we stay ahead of evolving consumer expectations, leveraging AI and digital advancements to enhance the customer journey. At the same time, we are embracing sustainability through environmentally responsible practices, from energy-efficient developments to waste reduction initiatives that contribute to a greener future.

And at the heart of our organisation is cultivating a strong culture – one that values talent, fosters inclusivity, and prioritises the growth and wellbeing of our people.

By integrating these core pillars into our long-term strategy, we will continue to set new benchmarks in retail, ensuring our centres remain dynamic, engaging, and resilient for years to come. I look forward to this coming year with a focus on achieving great outcomes and new firsts for our centres.

Back To Top