sunsally

Deal me In -

I feel your pain, believe me!

My strip is located in a bustling, high-end suburb. In the 3 years we sat without an anchor, an entire HUGE very expensive golf country club community went in abutting to us! Other new retail was built. More expensive homes. And we ran off a handful of the businesses we DID have, and NOBODY new rented. They even took down ANY signage about who to contact to TRY to rent the spaces! We kept cards for the broker in the salon and would pass them out for those that DID take the effort to try to find out by coming in.

Ours was owned by one of the richest families in the city. I have NO idea how they benefited to run it down like it did, but it happened. It's been 10 months since the anchor finally got here, and it has been a SLOW build-back! We filled 2 additional spaces since then. Many remain empty still.

I'd even encourage you to try to get ALL the businesses to ACTIVELY collect Email addresses!! Offer SOMETHING in every business to sign-up -- a free tan, a free flower, a free key sharpening, a free item on your pizza! All you need is the email. Then can do email blasts (we're using Vertical Response, Constant Contact is good too). Have everyone put their own in an excel spreadsheet, then share them with each other. As long as you aren't competing businesses, there is no "harm" to anyone to share! If the emails you send are from "The Plaza" of companies, nobody is going to complain you sold their email because they are getting something from the business they gave the address to!

It's fine to ask for an accounting of what has been done, but at this point, I would encourage you to use your leadership to get the group to start moving PROactively and positively instead of spending time griping about what isn't being done. EVERYONE will feel better about things if traffic -- and dollars - pick up!

And again -- you don't need an "event". It is just 'talking' to your customers, and promoting your center by promoting all the great businesses (and deals/specials/sales) within. Doing it together like this is MUCH cheaper than on your own. As a tanning salon, you are a "destination" business and can drive a lot of traffic to the others. Take the lead, get them to try it. You'll be surprised!

p.s. PM me your address and I'll send you a link for the email blasts. Literally that is something you could start TODAY and see results by the end of the month!

tansource

Such plans will not resolve the MAJOR issue you are bringing up. YOU NEED OCCUPANCY RELIEF or you would not even be considering such things as a solution to your problems. If you are not able to survive without these tactics (sidewalk sales and such) you need to reconsider all future decisions. A sidewalk sale for a tanning salon is not going to change your bottom line in a dramatic way on an annual basis. Generally they cost more to advertise then you will ever get back since you are primarily a service business not a retailer.

Get back to basics review the lease and see if you have any restrictions on such activities (which I highly doubt) if not DO WHAT YOU THINK WILL WORK they have no standing and can't change the lease midstream.

Another way to get your landlord to the table is to slow or no pay until you get an audience. Having worked for chains I have found that a landlord will always negotiate. If it goes vacant for one month they lost any battle with you. People never realize you always have the upper hand especially in a down market. They will usually settle provided you come to the table with reasonable demands. You will need to have enough balls to hold your ground.

Another thing is start collecting EVERYTHING in writing possible. This will pay off if you ever need to sever. And with such high vacancy this will likely trip a provision in your lease unless you made a big mistake. Even still you would win if it ever went that far.

There is almost always an out provision you just need an angle. And anyone the signs a lease without Noncompete & occupancy provisions is nuts. No offense but any landlord would sign either one in a heartbeat as this is boilerplate.

NJtanner

mjabaay

If a portion of your rent is supposed to be pushed into marketing, than get an accounting. After your big sale. Get together with the others and do a "crazy promotion. Then make the landlord give your accoutning, and then make him spend the money on other promotions, and I'd make him pay for radio and print group adds (big $$).

mgj