Micro Retail in Auckland

By the Daily Scot:

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Tying in with the discussion earlier on the retail floor-plate sizes and individual storefront scale, here are some examples of an emerging trend of micro-retail from Auckland.  Throughout the CBD, small storefronts are popping up, allowing flexibility and smaller economic commitments from tenants.

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If a business fails, a quick replacement is more than likely, available due to lower overhead helping the landlord as well as those searching for a small start-up space to test their concept.  These micro-retail strips also activate the street scene by creating clusters of choice for pedestrians whether for dining or shopping options.

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A good example is this collection of micro-retail shops on Auckland’s Queen Street.  From day one the developer chose to divide up the floor plate into a series of small spaces,leading to a variety of take-out food options.  A collection of nearby benches under street trees complete the public realm by providing a place to eat and people watch after you collect your meal.

 
Size does matter; sometimes the shops are only a few feet wide as seen from this photo of a Creperie:

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Here are some other micro-retail examples from Auckland, ranging from coffee shops wedged between buildings to a roll-up garage housing a mini-shipping container.