Approximately 50 million Americans eat every day at more than 200,000 fast food restaurants. In a year marred by a novel virus, the QSR industry has thrived, reporting revenue of 293 billion dollars.

One of the major wins attributed to the success of fast food restaurants during this pandemic has been the drive thru. If a fast food restaurant has a drive thru, up to 70% of sales will come through it. Drive thru proved to be built in social distancing measures that allowed fast food to remain open when all other restaurants closed.

The NPD Group found that drive thru restaurant visits raised 26% in April, May, and June. When restaurants began reopening, drive thru visits continued to climb by 13%, even higher than other services such as carry-out and delivery. "Drive-thru operations are delivering a high ROI during the pandemic, offering convenience, speed and the comfort of social distance to consumers using them," described David Portalatin, NPD food industry adviser and author of Eating Patterns in America, "Fast casual and traditional quick service chains have already announced expansion plans for their drive-thru operations, and more chains will be doing the same. Drive-thru and other off-premises operations will be a major part of the U.S. restaurant industry's recovery and future.”

Consumer behaviors have changed to adjust to the new norms. 82% of consumers reported that they tried to get in and out of the stores as soon as possible. Bluedot found that almost 40% of respondents felt safer in a drive thru compared to curbside and in-store pickup. 

Danny Klein from QSR magazine online stated, “The bet many restaurants are making is that while socially distant trends might fade, or adjust, consumers’ love affair with convenience and contactless will not.” Consumers are not giving up on eating out. David Portalatin also claimed, “My belief is rooted in one reality: consumers are not willing to give up on the convenience and experience a restaurant meal brings to them and their families regardless of the barriers.”

The future may hold more emphasis on drive thru. Many brands have announced drive thru lanes will be expanded to allow distinct lines for online orders, walk-up order windows, and conventional drive thru. Restaurants already managing with a drive thru or other off-premise options may not see a need for reopening dining areas. The emphasis on drive thru, curbside, and delivery will reduce staff expenses to man the inside counter as well as cutting the cost of cleaning indoor dining. “For quick-service restaurants, they don’t want to reopen their dining rooms because this drags down profitability and increases costs,” said Andrew Charles, an analyst at investment bank Cowen Inc.

With the changes to consumer behavior and adhering to local ordinances, the restaurant industry has made leaps to change and prosper. Restaurants with drive thru will continue on successfully, and ones without will adapt by either adding drive thru or adopting a carry out, pick up, and/or delivery system. “Restaurants will forever bear the scars of 2020, but in many ways, they’ll also be stronger for what they’ve gone through this year,” tells QSR magazine.

“Whether they sink or swim depends largely on how they can learn and adapt from the biggest crisis since at least the Great Recession.”

Finding the right retail tenant was difficult pre-covid and current covid climate beat down many good retail opportunities. With Retailsphere, you have a team helping you do the research to find the perfect tenant that has proved they can weather the down times. Set up a time to meet with a member of our team to get you one step closer to a successfully filled retail space. 

The post Quick Service Restaurants Among Most Sustainable Retailers appeared first on Retailsphere.

“We have new clients already closing 4 deals using our Pipeline CRM,” said RetailSphere's Client Success Manager Antonio Ruano.

How do you start your workday? Is it coffee and internet searching, checking messages and eventually making calls and shooting off emails to prospects? You aren’t alone. But this is not the most productive way to 10x your dealflow. 

What if you started your day with an organized calendar, with all your meetings, calls and site visits integrated with the most intuitive Pipeline CRM™ in commercial real estate? 

RetailSphere’s™ Pipeline CRM™ functionality is included for free with all platform subscriptions and it’s streamlining workflow and kickstarting stalled deals.

Ruano sees firsthand clients  using RetailSphere’s™ Pipeline CRM™ and cadence automation are changing the way they do business. And they are loving it. You can see more about Ruano’s process here.

“A RetailSphere™ client using our Pipeline CRM™ has sent over 6600 emails through our cadence automation and 75% of those emails were opened,” said Ruano. “And they have an 11 % reply rate, which is 3X the industry average.”

According to Ruano, other users on the platform are seeing 4X the national average on their cadence reply rate. And it’s just the beginning. Deal cards, and notes/activity are fast becoming a favorite tool among users.

And they manage all that incredible deal activity in the CRM and move their deals seamlessly along the stages of their pipeline.

Just a few things you can do with ease:

·  Manage client relationships in ways that are light, easy, simple to use and FREE.

·  Easily record and take notes on your prospecting and deal making Activities.

·  Track deals as they move through your pipeline.

·  Integrate with your calendar and schedule activities like client contacts or site visits.

·  Automate re-ocurring tasks to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

·  Generate reports designed to show management or clients your activity with a few simple clicks.

The most successful users on the platform are creating set-&-forget multi-step cadences and sending bulk emails that look like a personalized message to each prospect. No spam! And then views, clicks and replies tracking and benchmarking is a thing of beauty in real time.

And as you’re prospecting, you can build shareable collections from hundreds of thousands of potential partners, and automatically verify and update contacts. Everything is seamlessly integrated with our included Pipeline CRM™.

The RetailSphere platform includes the world’s largest database of decision makers related to retail commercial real estate, but also includes marketing automation and relationship management tools, not to mention the abundance of data and retail expansion details.

About Retailsphere

Founded in 2019, RetailSphere™ is an all-in-one platform that includes the world’s largest contact database of retail commercial real estate decision makers, a robust email and leasing enablement marketing platform and a simple, intuitive and included Pipeline CRM™ tool. RetailSphere™ is modernizing the way the retail industry connects within a single pane of glass.

Increase your deal flow. Improve your network. Empower your career.

The post Don’t be afraid of the right CRM appeared first on Retailsphere.

Stuck at home with the home becoming the one space for work, school, and living, consumers responded with general home improvements. Vacations were cancelled and as a result, vacation budgets were redirected to sprucing up spaces. 

When hurricane season came around, Home Depot and Lowe’s also saw an increase in sales for pre and post disaster storm needs. 

With Black Friday approaching, Home Depot announced Black Friday sales throughout the season to avoid the crowds on the infamous Thanksgiving weekend. 

On the onset of the pandemic, Home Depot also made major improvements to their employee’s benefits. $850 million expanded Home Depot associates benefits in the following ways: 

• Added 80 hours of paid time off for all full-time hourly associates and 40 hours of paid time off for part-time hourly associates to be used at their discretion at any time in 2020 and paid out if not used
• For associates who are 65 years of age or older, or determined to be at higher risk by the CDC, added 240 hours of paid time off for full-time hourly associates and 120 hours of paid time off for part-time hourly associates to be used at their discretion at any time in 2020 and paid out if not used
• Providing paid time off for any associate who has contracted COVID-19 until released by a doctor 
• Providing up to 14 days paid time off for any associate required to be quarantined by a public health authority or the CDC 
• Providing additional bonuses to hourly associates in stores and distribution centers -- $100 per week for full-time hourly associates and $50 per week for part-time hourly associates 
• Relaxed time off policies
• Extended dependent care benefits and waived co-pays

For Home Depot, their success is in the numbers. The end of the second quarter, sales rose 25% and were twice the amount Wall Street projected. 

For Lowe’s, it’s a similar success story. Last quarter, sales increased over 30%, and online sales increased 135%. Lowe’s also supported their store associates by issuing $600 million of benefits, including $300 bonus for full time associates and $150 for part time and seasonal. Hourly pay was also increased $2 for all employees. Lowe’s Vice President, Bill Boltz reported the highest sales "in indoor categories such as decor and lighting." In addition, there was also  "significant improvement in flooring, millwork, kitchen, and bath." 

Financial forecasts continue to look well for these two giants in home improvement retail. Some expect the home remodels to take a lull, which could be possible due to colder weather. It is more likely sales will continue to at least remain steady, with likely potential to grow, as the holiday season approaches. Perhaps the new normal will be an emphasis on improving the home most have used for months now as not only their home, but a place for work and learning. Perhaps emphasis on frivolous spending and taking far away vacations will be a trend still in the distance as we all chose to stay home and make our homes a beautiful place to be. 

The post Home Depot and Lowe’s Capitalized on Pandemic appeared first on Retailsphere.

Efficient Task Management:

Retailsphere's Pipeline CRM™ includes a robust task management system that allows you to prioritize and organize your daily activities. From setting reminders for follow-up calls to assigning tasks to team members, the platform ensures that no important detail falls through the cracks. This level of organization not only increases productivity but also helps create a structured workflow, allowing you to focus on the tasks that matter most and drive your retail business forward.

Centralized Customer Information:

Understanding your customers is crucial in the retail industry, and Retailsphere's™ Pipeline excels in centralizing customer information. The platform consolidates data from various touchpoints, providing a 360-degree view of each your journey. This comprehensive view enables you to tailor your interactions, personalize marketing efforts, and ultimately enhance the overall deal making power. By having all pertinent information in one place, you can make informed decisions and strengthen your relationships with customers.

Automated Processes for Time Efficiency:

Retailsphere's Free Pipeline CRM™ leverages automation to eliminate repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on strategic aspects of your business. Whether it's automating follow-up emails, updating customer records, or generating reports, the platform's automation features can significantly reduce manual workload. This not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of human error, ensuring that your data is accurate and up-to-date.

Integration Capabilities:

To further maximize your day, Retailsphere's Free Pipeline CRM™ seamlessly integrates with other essential tools and platforms. Whether it's syncing with your email, connecting with marketing tools, the CRM fosters a cohesive ecosystem that enhances your overall workflow. The ability to work within a unified system eliminates the need to switch between multiple applications, further streamlining your daily operations.

Retailsphere's Free Pipeline CRM™ offers a powerful solution for brokers, landlords, tenant reps and owners looking to optimize their daily operations. By streamlining communication, providing efficient task management, centralizing customer information, automating processes, and integrating with other tools, the platform empowers businesses to make the most of their time and resources. Embrace the capabilities of Retailsphere's Free Pipeline CRM™ to propel your retail business forward in today's competitive market.

Reach out to see a demo of Retailsphere

The post Track all deals and create sophisticated reports within your personalized Pipeline appeared first on Retailsphere.

In the Covid era, many restaurants have closed permanently. Out of necessity, consumers are seeking easy take out and delivery options, and pizza just so happens to be the ideal answer. As many restaurants have had to smooth out the wrinkles of this new age of dining off premise, pizza has been put in a box for decades, ahead of the game and already the answer to all restaurants' new problem. Particularly as the coronavirus sent shock waves around the nation, pizza sales soared. Other reasons for pizza’s success would be it’s an affordable meal for a family. It’s comfort food (and don’t we all need a little extra comfort in a very uncomfortable year?). Pizza, delivered or carried out in a box, is a slice of normalcy in an uncertain time. 

Now that we’ve determined a pizza place is the optimal solution to your vacancy, let’s walk through Retailsphere’s database platform to preview the ease of discovering a suitable pizza place for your space. 

First, login and begin on the Retailsphere homepage. 

Click on the tab “Retailers'', just below the Retailsphere logo on the top banner and select the subcategory of "Food." 

As you can see, the results for “Food Retailers” is 103,601. 

We need to look specifically for a pizza place.  One way to find that would be to select “pizza” in the left filters bar. 

On the side panel, there are options to narrow the search. If I chose “Local and Regional Retail” and the approximate square footage, my search results narrow down to 21 results. 

Even further, the database can narrow down the search to only expanding retailers. The research team at Retailsphere does all the tedious and lengthy work to find the specific information needed from retail owners, real estate directors, and other senior decision makers to keep information up to date and relevant. Retailers marked with “Expanding” have been verified from our research team as retailers actively looking to open more doors. 

Another way to order up results for finding a pizza tenant would be the Advanced Search option (located to the right of the search bar). 

Let’s continue with our search for a prime pizza place. You probably know a lot of the national and franchise pizza chains, and want to discover a local pizza place that would bring local flavor to your center. I removed the “National Brands'' and “Franchisors” in order to locate only local and regional options. Then I used the drop down menu to choose the category “Food” and the subcategory “Pizza”.

This search gave me 7590 results, however if we start looking for a place specific to your geography, then you'll have a few great options to fill a vacancy. With that said, It’s your turn to walk through and get the answers and search catered to what you need. Schedule a demo today for your personalized walk through and take your first step to ordering your next prosperous tenant. 

The post Use Retailsphere to Order a Pizza Joint for Your Center appeared first on Retailsphere.

In 2019, Walmart was the highest-grossing retailer, making more than twice what its closest competitor, Amazon, earned in retail sales. Amazon may have defined the last decade of retail, but Walmart has comfortably maintained its dominance in this new environment of omnichannel selling and tech-based solutions. By harnessing its substantial physical footprint, continuously experimenting with new innovations, and partnering with external companies to develop its services, this retail giant hasn’t just stayed ahead of the curve in this volatile climate; it is setting the curve for its competitors. 

It took quite a few years for Walmart to figure out its eCommerce strategy, but once the company started honing in on its strengths, the company’s online retail business ballooned. During its second quarter, Walmart’s eCommerce sales grew by 97%. The pandemic certainly contributed to that growth, but the company’s efforts to transform its already mammoth-like supply chain into an omni-channel organization undoubtedly had an impact as well. With more and more consumers turning to online shopping, the decision to integrate digital and store supply chain operations last could not have been more well-timed. Although inventory fell during the first and second quarters by 8 and 5% respectively, Walmart’s supply chain has remained comparatively healthy in the current climate and continues to stabilize. 

Brick and Mortar 

Those gains would’ve been possible without Walmart’s brick-and-mortar footprint. Walmart has 5,355 physical locations spread out across the United States so that 90% of shoppers live within a 5-mile radius of one of its stores. That proximity not only allows them to reach consumers who might not have as much access to other retailers, but it also allows Walmart to cut costs on the most expensive, most inefficient, and final step in the eCommerce supply chain: last-mile delivery. By using its stores as distribution centers, Walmart is able to deliver a customer’s order in less than two hours. “In this race for speed and convenience, having a footprint that acts as a store and a distribution center is game-changing,” said Kantar Consulting’s SVP Lei Duran. Providing loyal grocery shoppers with the opportunity to get all of their shopping done in one fell swoop puts them at an advantage in the growing competition of the grocery delivery space. 

Innovation 

These past few quarters have proven that Walmart’s propensity for innovation and experimentation sets the company up for success in the long run. Those experiments provide invaluable data and learnings that equip them to better serve customers in its physical stores. “Walmart is constantly testing innovations and improvements in efficiencies in small subsegments of stores,” said Duran. “Because they have this engine of test innovation, they’re able to have a lot more learning and to have agility when something changes,” said Duran. 

In one particularly interesting experiment, Walmart reworked a few stores to replace all of their cashiers with self-checkout lanes in order to lower costs, reallocate more space to merchandise, change the behaviors of shoppers, and utilize associates in other spaces where they are able to more purposefully interact with customers. What the company found was that most customers prefer efficiency over engagement, especially now that less engagement means more safety. It’s unlikely that 100% self-checkout will expand across Walmart’s footprint any time soon; instead, the service will provide the company with data about how to foster a better shopping experience for their customers.

Walmart+

The new Walmart+ membership program is another great example of how the company treads carefully into new prospects and uses a test-and-learn strategy to prevent costly failures. The benefits are free unlimited delivery, discounts on fuel, and access to Scan & Go, a service that enables customers to scan barcodes on their purchases as they shop so that they can watch their spending and perform an easy self check-out by simply scanning the register’s QR code and paying with the card saved to your app. At the same price of an Amazon Prime subscription, the program doesn’t offer nearly the same range of services, but Walmart intends to expand benefits as it figures out what works and what doesn’t. Again, the company is using the data the membership produces in order to better serve customers. “Learning and data is truly the currency of retail growth,” said Duran. “The more you have, the faster you’ll grow and the more penetration growth you can have in the market.”

Those learnings, technologies, or services don’t always come from in-house. “Walmart has done a really good job of acquiring companies, sometimes not because of the company but because of the knowledge,” said Duran. “Is there someone that’s better to partner with versus growing it from the ground up?” During the first quarter fiscal earnings call, Mcmillon referred to the acquisition of Jet.com and its founder, Marc Lore, “critical” to the company’s massive growth in eCommerce, delivery, and in-store pickup.

At the core of all of these innovations is Walmart’s commitment to simultaneously providing affordably priced goods and premium services. “The strategic importance of providing multiple options for customers has never been clearer,” said CFO Brett Briggs during the Q2 fiscal earnings call. “If the customer is ultimately in charge, we are going to be flexible, and we’re going to have multiple ways to serve them.”

Sign up for a no-obligation demo today and start finding the next retail juggernaut.

The post The Rise of a Retail Juggernaut appeared first on Retailsphere.

There are two types of research requests: (1) a research request for information on the retailer or company and (2) putting a contact verification request to, as it sounds, verify a contact.

The beauty of either a research request or a contact verification request is they both go to the same place: our on-demand research team. And in both cases contacts are verified, but with a research request, the team goes far more in depth rather than confirming simply a contact’s status.

The main difference between the two requests is the type of research you will get.

As you prospect, you will find yourself seeing literally 450,000 retailer profiles. Once you find the retailer you are looking for you simply hit the “research request” button at the top right of the retailer profile page which brings up a box where you can enter a variety of need-based questions.

A typical research request might ask “Can you please find out of this retailer is expanding, and where?” Or you might ask the research team to find a specific job-related contact.

Now where a contact verification request differs is you will see a handful of contacts under the retailer profile, and you can click on the three dots and choose to “verify the contact.” Our team will now go in and verify by calling the contact and make sure they are still at their job and retailer, or if not, the contact will be updated with new info, which will be emailed directly to you and also available in your Pipeline.

Research and contact verifications can also very easily be submitted from the “Activity Feed” of the CRM. If you’ve recently reached out to a retailer or contact through a cadence, your activity feed will show that activity. You can click on the retailer or contact (a sidebar pops up) and see all of the activities that have been conducted. You have several options, one of which is submit a research request.

Submitting a research request is also as simple as figuring out the retailer you want to bring to your location. But in addition, you can specify National Brand, Franchisor or Multi-Unit Group, while including qualifiers like square footage, anchor tenants wanted.

If you have a specific brand in mind and/or don’t see the data you need, we’re happy to do some research for you! 

Click the “request research” button wherever you are in the platform and be as general or specific as you want in your requests. 

Our team is constantly updating information on our brand profiles and creating new profiles at your request. 

Reminder: You can request research from a retail profile or within your pipeline:

• Once the research box pops up, enter the information you are looking for and click “Submit Request”

You can view the status of your requests in the CRM under the Research tab. When research is complete, you will receive an email with the new information.

Find out more at RetailSphere.com.

The post How to put in a Research Request with RetailSphere™ appeared first on Retailsphere.

In a post-COVID world, most are ready to get back to “normal,” but not all states are ready to come roaring back. The Rich States, Poor States Index ranks the economic outlook of all 50 states, and Utah, Florida, Oklahoma, and North Carolina all ranked high on the list.

We’re taking a deep dive into these states to figure out what’s making them competitive in 2021, even when the answers can be quite controversial. Here are the 3 trends we identified:

Population Boom 

Hundreds of thousands of people fled from urban centers, especially along the coast, last year. And while all of the states on our shortlist did see an uptick in population, they didn’t top the list in out-of-state move-ins (that would be Texas). 

However, what is interesting is the long-term trend of these certain states’ growth. Since 2019, net migration in Utah has overtaken natural growth as the state’s main source of population growth. North Carolina and Florida have also seen sustained rapid growth over the last 3 years, charting in the top 5 fastest-growing states in the nation. 

Why is this important? While many states are floundering to support the influx of migrants, these states were somewhat primed and ready to absorb this new wave of move-ins. 

While local housing markets, school systems, and other local resources are becoming overwhelmed across the country, this slight advantage may be one reason that these economies are bouncing back quicker than others. 

Open For Business

Could Florida Man actually be doing something right for a change? Florida is well known for spring break beaches, theme parks, and yes, quirky residents, but the economic outlook for Florida was ranked second for a reason. 

Florida faced a lot of flack as locals and travelers alike flooded the beaches and bars at the height of infection rates last summer. But while COVID cases may have remained up, so has Florida’s tourism. For example, huge money-makers like The Walt Disney World Resort were able to come back—albeit with restrictions—fairly quickly in Florida, while similar parks in California took over a year to reopen. 

Utah also opened up gyms, indoor dining in restaurants, and other retailers earlier than many other states.

This dependence and defaulting to the health of businesses has given these states a head start in getting back to normal. 

Specific Legislation 

Oklahoma lawmakers have been vocal about their desire to make Oklahoma a top 10 state, and legislation is doing the work to support that goal. For example, the Oklahoma Bounce Back Assistance Program launched in 2020 successfully helped support diversity in the economy, and expansions have also recently been announced. 

North Carolina has also introduced laws meant to lessen the burden of a very lean year. North Carolina Senator Paul Newton introduced legislation to cut North Carolina’s income tax to 4.99%, as well as reduce franchise tax. 

Legislation changes like these, mitigating mandatory lockdowns or enacting specific laws protecting and promoting small business and retail, seem to be indicators of which states are doing better rebounding back post-pandemic.

While these 3 trends are boosting the economies of certain states, the opposite can also be true. For instance, Wyoming was also ranked high for its economic outlook, intense population growth has caused huge problems in the state as resources and locals are overwhelmed and ill-prepared for the changes. 

Although growth seems inevitable, it remains to be seen what effects this intense time period will have on the country long-term. 

Looking for specifics around expansion in retail, and market trends, no matter where you live? Schedule your free Retailsphere demo today, and get a closer look at what’s happening in your neck of the woods. 

The post Why Are These States Seeing A Retail Rebound? appeared first on Retailsphere.

It has always been crucial for commercial landlords to have thriving tenants instead of fighting battles with difficult tenants on the brink of eviction. This need has often become clearer as the Covid-19 pandemic continues, often highlighting more troublesome tenants.

Formally evicting a tenant may seem like a painful process, but it can be more beneficial and cheaper than keeping a bad tenant long term. If you have determined a tenant is due for an eviction, we've outlined a few of the steps you'll need take into the account during the eviction process. 

First of all, the CARES Act barred evictions, beginning March 27th of this year, for 120 days. While this deadline has expired, many state and local governments have passed their own eviction moratoriums. Be sure to confirm locally if evictions are now allowed or if they are still barred.  If evictions are being allowed in your area, it is important to confirm and have documentation that your tenants have continued to violate terms in their leasing agreement past the moratorium deadline. 

Secondly, if you have chosen to evict, act within the provisions of the law. Locking out a tenant or removing property owned by the tenant before the eviction process has been completed is considered illegal. Evictions must be done properly, and they can take time.

Before beginning an eviction, consider the following: Landlord and tenant rights vary state by state. Review your state’s laws prior to commencing eviction processes. Keep in mind that if the eviction is taken to court, both the tenants and landlords rights are considered. Before beginning an eviction, do your due diligence to ensure that your duties as a landlord have been fulfilled as prescribed by the agreement, local laws, and policies. These duties may include keeping the unit safe, free of infestation, and keeping the unit in good repair (heating, etc). Refer to the leasing agreement and verify all landlord obligations have been met. Often, courts will rule in the tenants favor if the landlord fails to uphold their duties as a landlord. 

Further, a tenant cannot be evicted without probable cause and proof of the tenant violating the leasing agreement. Some examples of tenant violation may include: 

• Tenant vacated the premises before the lease expired;
• Tenant abandoned the property;
• Tenant is using the premises for a different business use without the landlord’s permission or is conducting an illegal business on the premises;
• Tenant sublet  the property without the landlord’s permission;
• Tenant made unauthorized additions or repairs to the premises;
• Tenant violated the law or;
• Tenant is interfering with another tenant’s ability to conduct business.

The eviction must be a clear violation of the leasing agreement, and as mentioned before, you must have evidence or proof to bring to the court. Proof may include pictures of damage, bounced checks, or police reports. 

Once it is determined that eviction is necessary and that the landlord has upheld their side of the rental agreement, serve a three-day notice to the tenant. In writing, this notice will inform the tenant that they have three full days (first full day is considered the day after the notice is delivered) to adhere to the leasing agreement. The notice must be served to the tenant themselves or a manager on the premises. In addition, another notice may be posted on the front door. If the tenant is not on the premises, and the notice is served to another official, verify via certified mail that the notice is also mailed to the tenant. 

An example of the tenant complying with the three-day notice would be to pay the past due rent in full. Outline specifically the terms in the notice, such as recording the exact amount of rent that is owed. The tenant has three full days. No attempts to evict can take place until after the three days. If the tenant complies, either by paying rent in full or compiling to the other requirements in the notice, no eviction can take place. If the tenant does not comply or does not comply fully, such as only paying partial rent, by the end of the three days, there must be an understanding that eviction will still take place. Partial compliance doesn’t bar them from eviction.

If the tenant has not fulfilled the terms set in the three-day notice, begin the eviction process immediately. As with any eviction process, it is highly recommended for landlords to obtain an attorney, preferably one with experience in commercial real estate and evictions. An attorney will help keep all eviction proceedings legal, like determining if a tenant has declared bankruptcy. In this instance, all creditors, including landlords, are not allowed to collect debt. The landlord’s attempts to collect may result in penalties and additional fees. An attorney can also be helpful in filing an unlawful detainer lawsuit, which is often the next step taken to court. 

If the tenant has refused to fulfill the terms of the leasing agreement and the three-day notice, a court day will be set. In preparation for the hearing, gather all relevant documents to your case. These documents may include, but not be limited to: 

• Leasing agreement;
• The three day notice, certifying that it was served;
• Pictures proof of damage to the property or other violations of the agreement;
• Police reports;
• Bounced rent checks and;
• Photo ID.

The judge will hear both tenant and landlord arguments, so keep in mind having the proper documentation and an attorney who knows how to argue your case and speak to the judge will be critical to gaining a ruling in your favor. If the court does rule in your favor, the tenant will be given a specific amount of days to vacate and the eviction process can continue. If the tenant does not vacate in the court-allotted time, the landlord will need to arrange a time and day with local law enforcement to evict the tenant. 

The worst thing to experience after the stress, pain, and cost of an eviction is to go through another eviction. With a newly vacant space, the most important task will be filling it with a vetted, strong tenant. Retailsphere is focused on helping landlords find high quality tenants to fill your vacancies. If you know you have an eviction in process, it can also be beneficial to start back filling your spaces to decrease time it is empty. Schedule a demo today and to see how simple your tenant search can be. 

This article does not constitute legal advice. We recommend that you consult with legal counsel regarding any eviction process.

The post Evicting a Tenant with a Lease appeared first on Retailsphere.

Our team speaks to hundreds of retail contacts, site selectors and center owners to determine expansion needs and opportunities. Today we put one of them under the microscope and learn about those conversations.

We sit down with Sarah Lang, one of our researchers at RetailSphere.

RetailSphere: What are some of the challenges you face when you call up a retailer or are working on a request for one of our clients?

Sarah: The smaller the retailer is, like a multi-unit group, we are trying to track down the owner. In that case it’s hoping we catch them at one of their locations, or get their cell phone from an employee, which they are often afraid to hand out.

RetailSphere: But you always get it!

Sarah: Not always, but much of the time and we do so by being upfront. We let them know we have clients with ideal spaces for their expansion and trying to reach out. It’s always a conversation starter. That conversation may be “no way I’m expanding,” but it’s also sometimes “Huh, I wouldn’t mind hearing what they have in mind.”

RetailSphere: Do retailers or business owners ever get annoyed when you call to get expansion details?

Sarah: Quite the contrary. For most of the national brands, franchisors and much of the multi-unit groups, we have established lines of communication…relationships where when I call, they ask me what am I looking for today? That’s what really makes it fun. When a client puts in a request for expansion plans for Starbucks, I know who I’m dealing with.

RetailSphere: So you and the other on-demand researchers call and email for expansion and contacts details, but what are tools are at your disposal?

Sarah: Well, without giving away all our secrets we use a lot of tools within Retailsphere (which clients have access to), including cadences, or marketing automation. It’s a game-changer for reaching and basically setting up a series of touch points and waiting for the responses to come in. We craft emails to retailers, business owners, reps and brokers, asking details in such a way that it’s a conversation they want to have and we get the details our clients need.

But it all starts with the phone. We believe in calling and getting details firsthand. That’s how we build relationships. Sometimes we use social media to get details as well, but more for supplemental details.

RetailSphere: Thanks, Sarah, for letting those unfamiliar with RetailSphere and the on-demand research team behind the curtain of your operations.

The post Closer look: A Q&A with a member of the RetailSphere™ On-demand research department appeared first on Retailsphere.