Colliers annual retail report reveals nine trends to watch in 2012

SEATTLE, WA and WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Retail is evolving at a dizzying pace. It's a new universe out there, with retailers exploring new ways to reach customers, seeking out new life in their brands, and boldly charting new worlds of real estate properties where no retailer has gone before.

This new retail adventure is outlined in Colliers International's annual U.S. Retail Highlights: 2012 Outlook,an in-depth, 13-page report that chronicles current retail conditions along with the trends that will shape the 2012 retail landscape. The report, which was released today, also contains a summary of metro-area operating metrics and a two-page quarterly Retailer Report Card assessing the dominant brands in every category.

According to Ann Natunewicz, (top right photo) National Manager of U.S. Retail Research for Colliers International's Retail Services Group, the 2012 year is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the industry.

 "2012 is a huge year for retail, and for real estate in general. How landlords and retailers respond to mobile commerce, their ability to partner and innovate, will determine how well they monetize shoppers who are already in their physical space--a huge advantage over earlier e-commerce, which was all transacted somewhere else."

For a complete copy of the report, please contact www.colliers.com/