MEET OUR
Team Members
INTRODUCING
LIZELLE CLOETE
083 274 8498
Lizelle is regarded by both retailers and landlords as one of the most experienced retail leasing specialists in South Africa, boasting 30 years’ experience within the retail leasing and property management industry.
She has expert knowledge across a wide range of highly significant issues related to retail. Her network of trusting relationships with many developers, property owners, architects, quantity surveyors, national/international tenants, franchisors/franchisees, as well as independent tenants, is exceptional.
- I have 30 years’ experience within the retail leasing and property management industry.
- I’m goal-driven and hard-working with strong presentation and negotiating skills.
- I’m well-spoken, accountable, energetic, confident, dependable, honest, trustworthy and friendly.
- I have expert knowledge of design, layout, tenant mix as well as invaluable experience in income schedules, budgets, leasing strategies and Board Reports.
- I’ve also built up very good relationships with many developers, property owners, architects, quantity surveyors, national/international tenants, franchisors/franchisees, as well as independent tenants.
It’s difficult to predict with certainty but I believe that as consumers become more health-conscious, health and wellness will grow as a category.
Busy lifestyles and the need for quick and easy access to convenience stores might drive the growth of convenience stores in South Africa.
Technology/electronics are a growing category as the demand for electronics such as smartphones, laptops, iPads, and home appliances is increasing in South Africa.
You need to have a deep understanding of the local retail market, including consumer trends, retail demand and current market conditions. This ensures that you find the right tenant for a landlord’s property and negotiate favourable lease terms.
A broker with a strong network of contacts in the retail leasing industry is a valuable asset, and landlords know this. Good communication and problem-solving skills are essential for a retail broker, and being able to think out of the box is a valuable tool when landlords feel they’ve hit a brick wall.
Basically, they value a miracle worker, who can handle rejection, and with a track record that speaks for itself!
You always have to sleep with one eye open! I try to maintain a good relationship with national/international tenants who aspire to expand their brands’ offerings. Social media has also proven to be extremely helpful in order to stay on top of new acquisitions and retail trends.
Collaborations with colleagues, friends in the industry, tenants, landlords, and obviously experience will assist one to know the latest trends and specific target markets a tenant/retailer is looking for. You’re never too old to learn, and have to accept that things will always keep on changing. Never think you know everything and never stop researching!!
Retail brokers offer support to landlords, because we usually have very widespread market expertise and access to a larger pool or network of potential tenants to tap into. This lends enormous value to our efforts in helping a landlord to fill vacant space successfully.
Additionally, strong relationships built up over many years with retail groups means that we may well have negotiating power which a landlord does not have. We can often help to get the deal over that last hurdle and finalise it. Our involvement also helps to give the landlord time to focus on other aspects of his business.
We really aim to be ‘partners’, helping landlords secure the best deals for their malls by sharing our knowledge, contacts and experience. We like to work collaboratively with landlords. Together we can be a formidable team. After all, filling retail space with the right tenant is a goal that we share.
Brokers should have a strong network of contacts within the franchising community, including franchisors, franchisees, and industry experts. You must conduct thorough market research to understand the target market for the franchise, including consumer demographics, purchasing habits, and competition.
You also need to have a good understanding of real estate, including zoning regulations, lease terms and market trends.
If you have this knowledge, you can effectively support franchisors and franchisees in finding the right retail space and negotiating favourable lease terms for them.
I negotiated and signed the very first H&M deal for South Africa, in Mall of Africa.
It was challenging to finalise the deal, as they were used to signing 35-year lease agreements with break clauses etc. It was definitely one of my proudest industry moments.