Redesigning Retail Space to Ease Delivery Service Key to Catching Up with Online Shopping Trend

• 10 May 2021
• Local News
• 1735 Views

The retail sector in Cambodia should consider redesigning its space and business model to catch up with the recent boom in online shopping and delivery services, say property experts.

According to the CEO of International Property Advisor (Singapore) Ku Swee Yong in a webinar organised by Pointer on Saturday, the necessity to go to shopping malls or retail space has dropped drastically given the current surge in the COVID community outbreak and lockdown.

Mr Yong added that even though the situation is improving, though nobody knows exactly when it will recover, not everyone will return to retail spaces as before since online shopping has already become a new habit for the consumers.

“During the lockdown, people started to feel comfortable with online shopping, especially for food and heavy grocery products. Thus, the need to go shopping will reduce even when the lockdown is over,” said Mr Yong.

“Only service sectors such as hair salons, spas, cinemas, among other entertainment segments will be in need. Meanwhile, other businesses such as clothes or shoe stores should reconsider renting smaller space or reorient their business toward an online shopping model,” he added.

Mr Yong explained that for retail space owners to survive, especially given the current surge in COVID community outbreaks, they should redesign their space to ease the delivery.

“For example, they can build a convenient parking lot for deliverymen, or even build a new wing where the drivers can grab the ordered products easily without having to park under the sun or rain,” said Mr Yong.

“This new supporting infrastructure will not only help reduce traffic jams that can make the food or products to be delivered faster with better quality but also help the malls to attract more drivers and orders,” he added.

• Analysis
• Business and Market