Primark did it. So did FNAC, Hard Rock Cafe, Levis, Havaianas and a host of other bold retail brands. 

While uncertainty looms in the retail sector with more vacant units available in the market, some brands, both local and international, have recently opened new shops. Four months after the lockdown, many retailers are keeping afloat by trying to regain customer confidence.

foreign brands

Among the foreign brands that inaugurated their first shops post-lockdown in Spain, American fashion apparel Gap opened its high street store in Barcelona on Calle Arcs while in Madrid, German art book publisher Taschen set up shop on Calle Barquillo. Meanwhile, Chinese hot pot leader Hai di Lao is expected to launch their first restaurant in Madrid on Calle Gran Via.

Spanish brands

Additionally, Spanish brands such as Pompeii, Freshly Cosmetics and Tacones further expanded, building their image locally with branches in Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga, respectively. Online optician brand Miller & Marc also established its second physical store in Madrid on Calle Orense.

supermarkets

Of course, supermarkets such as Aldi, Lidl, Carrefour and Eroski are at the forefront, actively opening new branches nationwide. Their strategy is to take advantage of the situation to better serve the public by getting closer to them in order to provide essential goods.

So what prompts these brands to set up shops? Is it business as usual? Is there now something positive on the horizon? Truth be told, the launch of some of the aforementioned brands was scheduled in April but was delayed because of the lockdown caused by COVID-19. In some cases, this may be part of their expansion strategy looking to the future. Clearly, there are opportunities to be taken in the market at this time.  

Moreover, owners are more flexible when negotiating terms and conditions with their tenants/would-be tenants, further encouraging retailers to take up new space.

restaurants

Meanwhile, restaurants have adapted to the new situation, now more than ever providing take away and delivery options, either in person or through online food delivery services such Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat and Glovo. This has enabled restaurants to stay in business by serving customers who otherwise would not be able to dine in.

Also worth noting are the recent launches of Italian restaurant Bel Mondo with a 1,000 sq m premises at Calle Velazquez 39 and the Spanish restaurant Coalla with a 400 sq m establishment at Serrano 203. These examples indicate that commercial areas adjacent to prime are picking up.

However, despite these openings, we still have a long way before reaching pre-COVID retail levels. It would be naïve to expect that the world has suddenly bounced back. But this is the first step on the road to recovery.