Great Retail Destinations Start With The Right Strategy

RCD is a founder-led retail consultancy working with landlords and developers to shape the commercial strategy behind new, evolving and repositioned retail destinations. We look at the asset as a whole, from market opportunity, customer and positioning through to tenancy mix, leasing strategy and the brands and operators required to bring the proposition to life. Rather than treating each decision in isolation, RCD connects the commercial thinking across the development so that every element works towards the same long-term objective.

Discuss Your Retail Development

A Successful Retail Destination Is Designed Around The Customer And The Market, Not Just The Available Space.

What Are Some Of The Decisions That Shape A Successful Retail Development?

The strongest retail strategies connect the market opportunity, customer, positioning, tenant mix and commercial model from the outset.

  • Who Should The Destination Serve?

  • What Should The Destination Stand For?

  • What Does The Market Actually Need?

  • Which Categories And Experiences Should Shape The Offer?

  • Which Brands And Operators Will Bring The Strategy To Life?

  • How Should The Retail Proposition Evolve Over Time?

What Our Retail Development Advisory Includes

  • Market & Catchment Strategy

    Understand the market, customer, competition and demand shaping the development opportunity.

  • Retail Concept & Proposition

    Define what the retail destination should offer and the role it should play within its wider market.

  • Market Positioning

    Establish who the asset should serve, what it should stand for and how it should differentiate itself.

  • Tenancy Mix & Leasing Strategy

    Define the category mix, merchandising priorities and leasing roadmap required to deliver the proposition.

  • Brand & Operator Strategy

    Identify the brands, operators, anchors and concepts required to strengthen the destination.

  • Commercial Development Roadmap

    Translate the strategy into clear priorities and actions from planning and pre-opening through stabilisation and ongoing evolution.

Who We Help

  • New Retail Developments

    Developers defining the commercial strategy and retail proposition ahead of launch.

  • Shopping Malls

    Landlords strengthening or evolving the strategy behind an established retail destination.

  • Mixed-Use Developments

    Developers aligning retail with residential, hospitality, offices, leisure and the wider development.

  • Assets Being Repositioned

    Owners redefining an existing asset to improve its relevance, positioning and long-term performance.

  • Our Markets

    13+ Regional & International Markets

  • Our Network

    25 Landlords | 170+ Retail Destinations

  • Our Clients

    Fashion | Hospitality | Luxury | F&B | Wellness | FEC

How Our Services Connect

Retail Development Advisory is the strategic layer that connects our specialist services, ensuring positioning, tenancy mix, leasing and tenant acquisition work together towards one long-term commercial objective: Create Destinations People Return To.

  • Position The Asset

    Strengthen the asset's positioning, relevance and commercial performance.

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  • Build The Tenancy Mix & Leasing Strategy

    Create the right category mix, merchandising strategy and leasing roadmap.

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  • Secure The Brands

    Identify, engage and secure the brands and operators the destination needs.

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  • Create The Destination

    Bring the positioning, tenant mix and secured brands together into a coherent retail destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Retail Development Advisory?

Retail Development Advisory brings together the strategic decisions that shape a retail destination, including market opportunity, customer strategy, positioning, tenancy mix, leasing priorities and brand strategy.

RCD approaches these areas as connected workstreams rather than isolated decisions.

When Should A Developer Engage A Retail Advisor?

Ideally, before major leasing and commercial decisions begin to lock the retail proposition into place.

Early engagement allows the market, customer, positioning and tenancy strategy to guide development decisions rather than being retrofitted later.

Does RCD Work On New Developments And Existing Assets?

Yes. RCD works with new developments, operating shopping malls, mixed-use projects and existing assets being repositioned.

The scope changes depending on the stage and commercial requirements of the project.

What Is The Difference Between Retail Development Advisory And Asset Optimisation?

Retail Development Advisory considers the wider strategy behind the retail destination and connects multiple workstreams.

Asset Optimisation focuses specifically on strengthening the positioning, relevance and commercial performance of the asset.

Does Retail Development Advisory Include Tenancy Mix And Leasing Strategy?

Yes. Tenancy mix and retail leasing strategy are core components of the wider development strategy and are closely connected with positioning, customer demand and brand acquisition.

Can RCD Help Secure The Brands Required By The Strategy?

Yes. Once the target categories and brands are defined, RCD's Tenant Acquisition service identifies, engages and progresses the operators required to bring the strategy to life.

Can RCD Advise On Mixed-Use Developments?

Yes. RCD works on retail propositions within mixed-use developments where the retail strategy needs to complement residential, hospitality, offices, leisure or other uses.

Can RCD Work Across Global Markets?

Yes. RCD works across global markets, with particularly deep experience and relationships across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and wider GCC.

Tell Us About Your Retail Destination

Whether you are developing a new asset or strengthening an existing one, tell us about the project, market and what you want to achieve.

What Do You Need Support With?

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