A timely conversation at the NSW Retail Summit this week, where Buchan’s Phil Schoutrop moderated a panel on the changing role of retail in mixed-use places alongside Felicity Armstrong, Andrew Loveday, Layne O’Neill and Jeheon Son.

Retail no longer operates in isolation. A key theme was that the strongest places bring together a mix of uses from the outset: retail, residential, workplaces, health, leisure, transport and community uses.

Convenience and experience are not opposites. Often, the best experiences come from places that fit naturally into everyday life and respect people’s time.

Retail’s role also extends beyond shopping, helping create amenity, identity, repeat visitation and connection to place.

“When we get it right, retail becomes the glue that turns a collection of uses into a place people want to be, and a destination people want to return to.” – Phil Schoutrop

Thank you to the panel for sharing their insights and to Property Council NSW for hosting another fantastic event.