Whilst several factors underpin the regional outlook, progress in employment, income, regional travel and tourism will continue to sustain meaningful growth and fuel the retail sector in the region. Retail fundamentals remain solid with strong consumer spending in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing leading to higher retail rents and Asian markets have been a target for retailers. With various policy tools and government initiatives in place combined with growth opportunities in China and India seen in incessant retail construction, Cushman & Wakefield expects the Asia Pacific retail sector to remain significant on a global scale through 2012