Shopping centres in New Zealand are set to lead the way to a smarter retail experience by using mobile devices to analyse physical shopping habits. This is according to RCG’s issue of Constructive Thinking. “Expect smarter shopping and parking, with features such as guided navigation and personalised recommendations,” the report highlights. “This tracking data will be used to optimise and experiment with store layouts and retail experience.”

The report points out that brownfield sites occupied by industrial uses form a third ring around Auckland’s central suburbs. Many areas in this zone, like Onehunga and New Lynn, are ready to be developed. “Lucrative sites for mixed use are where brownfield sites have become surrounded by medium-density housing and office, and where industry is quiet and low emission,” says the report.

“As property and land prices continue to grow, the value of a flexible master plan will increase. Most importantly, we will see a trend for planners to create both short and long-term strategies for land development, ie a 10-year plan that makes good use of strong local demographics along the way and provides a holding income for later, more intensive development.”

The report stresses that locality and convenience will be major influences as time becomes increasingly valuable to people, who will look for locations that are within easy reach such as close to road links and public transport. In Auckland, retail sites close to train stations will be particularly lucrative. Car parks will continue to be critical.