Return of the corner store

Convenience is the driving force behind four new retail developments on a 5.5km stretch of Anzac Ave in this region according to a retail expert.

The quartet - at the highway end of Kallangur, North Lakes, Mango Hill and Rothwell – are either being built, ready to be built or going through the Development Application (DA) process.

Four becomes five with construction well advanced on another centre just 500m away (as the crow flies) in Mango Hill Village.

Corner store

With shops in all five, it appears to be a return of the “corner store” - but on a slightly larger scale along a major arterial road.

There are additional elements in each ranging from town houses and offices to fuel stations and a swimming pool. But retail is a constant.

Retail expert Professor Gary Mortimer, from the QUT Business School, explained: “The consumer is looking for convenience.

Easy option

“When people are time poor, they can pop in for bread, milk, eggs, fill up the car, grab a coffee … all avoiding big shopping centres.

“Look at the demographics of the North Lakes area. You may find a high proportion of young families, tradies, blue collar workers and children in childcare.

“So, when people are picking up the kids …. there is a bit of science (behind) giving them the retail options they want.”

Growth spurt

Each development will be looking for a slice of the retail expenditure which is rising in this fast-growing area.

Marketing information for the Rothwell Edge development forecasts that its catchment area will see 10,980 people in 4200 households by 2026.

And a “growth of some $17 million in the retail expenditure of the catchment area is projected between 2017 and 2026.”

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