Wm Morrison Plc has appointed property consultants Cushman & Wakefield to advise its
Asset Management team on optimising value on a select number of
retail assets within their growing property investment portfolio. The assets sit
alongside trading Morrisons foodstores and the mandate will also be value enhancing to the
performance of these operational stores. The selection of assets comprise mainly of
existing retail warehouse schemes as well as two
shopping centres totalling over 750,000sqft.
Commenting on the appointment, Terry Hartwell, Morrisons’ Group Property Director
said: “We own a significant retail investment portfolio including
retail parks, shopping centres and district centres, all of which are anchored by strong
Morrisons foodstores. The assets included in the Cushman & Wakefield mandate have
great potential for further value enhancement through strategic asset management. The
Cushman’s team has a strong track record on this type of work and they will be tasked to
deliver a real improvement in the performance of the portfolio in the short to medium
term.”
Martin Supple, Head of Out of Town Retail at Cushman & Wakefield, said; “We are
very much looking forward to working with Morrisons’ Asset Management team to identify
opportunities to enhance tenant mix, increase footfall and add value. Morrisons are a
major landlord in the retail market, particularly in retail warehousing, with existing tenants
including Next, Argos, Wickes and DSG with scope for further improvement going forward.
Similarly their shopping centre portfolio is extensive and has excellent potential for active
asset management.”