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Negotiating commercial leases: Trade free rent for cash

Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield Retail

For many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are three money-saving tips.

Can this fabric turn clothes into batteries?

Delany Martinez Science & Technology

Power is important. Just ask anyone who has ever stared down that annoying red "low battery" indicator on a smartphone, just when they needed it for navigation or an important phone call.

Facebook simplifies ordering takeout with new delivery service

Bianca Gibson Food & Beverage

Ask anyone what they want to eat, then watch the sweat drip as they rack their brain for ideas. It's not that we don't like eating, it's that it requires making a quick decision — one that satisfies all involved. No pressure, right?

Is an organic price war on the horizon?

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

Months after its announcement, the Amazon-Whole Foods deal is still making waves. Now, economists say we are on the brink of witnessing a major organic price war. Texas-based Whole Foods Market Inc. is not only known for its organic produce but also for the distinctive local offers in each of its branches. Loyal shoppers who believe in clean eating have happily paid more for these services. Even though other grocery chains upped their organic produce sections and at a competitive cost, they found it hard to beat Whole Foods.

Negotiating commercial leases: Is the asking rent too high?

Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield Retail

For many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate.

Toys R Us hinges its future on augmented reality

Shawn Smajstrla Retail

Toys R Us, the big-box behemoth that long ruled from atop the toys and games mountain, became the latest retail victim of bankruptcy last month. As the company reorganizes, it's hinging a large part of its future on a slice of the future: augmented reality.

Target hits the spot with wage increase

Heather Linderfelt Retail

The Target Corporation announced last week that the company would raise the hourly minimum wage to $11 for all Target team members. The corporation also said they would continue to raise the hourly wage to $15 by the end of 2020.

Grocery stores increasing focus on male buyers

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

Ever since Men's Health (MH) magazine released the results of a recent study, the grocery industry has been busy analyzing the results. The MH survey stated that 84 percent of men saying they are the primary grocery shoppers in their household. This is a 19 percent rise from 10 years ago. And 93 percent said they cook more now.

Bags in Brief: The shape of purse-on-all branding

Andrea Rush Retail

Presenting at an International Trademark Association (INTA) conference in New Orleans on branding this week, attendee trademark professionals are challenged to consider fundamental issues facing brand owners and designers, such as: "What are you selling and who is your market?" To illustrate the point that goodwill is the foundation of great human relationships and great brands, the audience is requested to remember their favourite article of clothing.

Grocery chains alter business models to win back millennials

Katina Hernandez Food & Beverage

In an age of increasing digitalization, online ordering has become the norm, especially for millennials. Almost every necessity imaginable is available for order with just a couple of clicks. Grocery items are no exception, but millennials have forgone buying groceries online, and in store, in favor of ordering food through apps like Postmates and Grubhub. Going out to eat or ordering food through apps may be more costly, but millennials are willing to pay the surcharge in price for the added convenience.

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