Due to a strong economy (in 2000) that raised land prices and building costs, the industry continued to embrace alternative site solutions and reduce the size of new construction, according to the report. The typical store opened last year covered just 44,072 square feet, a significant reduction from the 49,000 recorded in 1999 and the all-time high of 57,064 square feet recorded in 1998.
Notwithstanding, the proportion of store openings reached its second-highest point in the past decade — 4.9 percent — and store closings continued their downward descent to 2.4 percent — the lowest point recorded by the study in 10 years. Furthermore, major remodeling rates increased to 5.5 percent last year — from 5.0 percent in 1999.
New Stores Focus on Expanding Services for One-Stop Solutions
Similar to 1999, the most widespread departments and services in new stores are fresh seafood (100 percent), deli (96.6 percent) and floral services (96.6 percent).
New store construction projects showed that retailers are increasingly concentrating on consumer’s demand for the convenience of one-stop shopping, according to the report. Prepared foods for takeout, greeting cards, pharmacy operations and wine are among the fastest growing specialty segments in supermarkets in the past decade.
The prepared foods for takeout section reflected its fast expansion rate in 2000 as supermarkets continued to seek a larger share of that profit pie. Supermarket operators made fresh food for takeout available in 89.7 percent of new stores, compared with 58.5 percent in 1999.
Other “one-stop” services showing a growing presence in new store construction include on-site photo processing (31.0 percent), dry cleaning (24.1 percent) and gasoline service (3.4 percent).
New Construction, Remodeling Costs Drop
While building costs — the largest component of new store development — remained relatively flat at $64.26 per square foot last year, total construction costs fell from $103.32 per square foot in 1999 to $98.26 per square foot last year.
In 2000, 5.5 percent of all stores underwent a major remodel. Major remodeling costs increased from $32.46 in 1999 to $35.09 last year. The typical cost per square foot for store expansions — 17 percent of all remodels — is more than double the median at $83.00.
Interestingly, the median timespan between remodels saw a sharp decrease from nine years in 1999 to five years in 2000, possibly indicating that supermarket companies view timely store upgrades to be an effective competitive solution.Average minimum rental rates for existing stores dropped to $6.55 per square foot last year, from $7.06 in 1999. Moreover, rental rates for new stores declined to $11.94 per square foot from a high of $12.31 recorded in 1999.
To purchase Facts About Store Development, 2001, call FMI’s Publications and Video Sales Department (202/220-0723) or visit the FMI Web site (http://www.fmi.org/pub). The cost is $30 for members; $80 for non-members.
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its nearly 1,250 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate more than 25,000 retail food stores and almost 22,000 pharmacies with a combined annual sales volume of nearly $650 billion. FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent operators. Its international membership includes 126 companies from more than 65 countries. FMI’s nearly 330 associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members.
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