“Since the end of 2023, with even less development taking place but an increase in second-hand supply has meant the vacancy rate of Open A1 non-food units has risen to 5.8% from 5.5%. A further 3.1 million sq. ft. of space is currently under offer with another 632,000 sq. ft. earmarked for non-retail redevelopment, meaning the percentage of space actually available to let is as low as 3.5%.”
Retail warehousing vacancy rates in the UK have risen, now at 5.4% at the end of Q3 2024 according to the latest research by Trevor Wood Associates (TWA), compared to 5.1% at Q2, 5.6% at Q1 2024 and 5.8% at Q4 2023. The major contributor to the increase in vacancy is Carpetright’s administration announcement on the 22nd July and subsequent closure. At the time their coverage included 214 units on retail warehousing schemes accounting for over 1,978,000 sq. ft. of floorspace, 172 part or whole units remain vacant accounting for over 1,626,000 sq. ft. of floorspace.
The Grocery sector continues to thrive on established parks or retail warehouse sites with Lidl opening 180,000 sq. ft. out of town while the food WAREHOUSE have added 152,000 sq. ft. and Farmfoods added over 159,000 sq. ft. of space to their portfolios. The usual suspects also continue to lead the way in taking vacant space, B & M have opened or have committed to open another 24 units and Home Bargains added another 339,000 sq.ft. to their portfolio. Pure Gym opened (or will open) another 252,000 sq. ft. and Sports Direct added another 6 units, Go Outdoors opened another 186,000 sq. ft. while Marks & Spencer and M & S Food Hall collectively added another 218,000 sq. ft. since the end of last year.
The size of units and retailer requirements are also changing with over 444,000 sq. ft. of lettings in 2024 taken by retailers in units of 5,000 sq. ft. or below. We continue to see the rise of drive-thrus and drive-tos with Costa Coffee, Greggs, McDonald’s and Starbucks increasing their presence in the booming drive-thru market.
After completing our analysis of the Q3 vacancy rate figure, Homebase announced their administration on the 13th November with 133 units on retail warehousing schemes accounting for over 4,598,000 sq. ft. of floorspace. The Range have committed to rescuing up to 70 of those units and Sainsbury’s have acquired 11 more with the possibility of a further 3 units which will help ease the impact of the administration. This may lead to a temporary spike in the vacancy figure but should be treated with caution as good quality retail warehousing space is in short supply and by the time we publish our Q4 figures in Spring next year it’s very likely a considerable amount of this space will already be let or under offer.
Image credits: Nigel - stock.adobe.com