Brick-and-mortar is alive and thriving — a message that rang true in the second quarter of 2016. The evolving retail industry is forcing us to rethink old ideas, and at Kimco, we’ve proven ourselves ready to take on these new challenges with innovative initiatives that others are taking notice of.
Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of Kimco’s second quarter was the release of its Corporate Responsibility Report. The report shows our dedication to reducing energy consumption and spreading sustainable practices to all of our shopping centers. In the past five years, Kimco has cut its energy consumption by 15 percent. As a result, the company was recognized as one of the top green companies in the United States.
Here are the top media hits for Q2.
Kimco CEO Conor Flynn weighs in
Kimco President and CEO Conor Flynn had a busy Q2, providing wisdom about retail and showcasing Kimco’s industry leadership in numerous media appearances. In June, Flynn appeared live on CNBC to discuss why he believes consumer confidence is rebounding despite the Brexit, and how off-price concepts, grocery stores, and home improvement retailers show there’s still very strong demand for top-quality real estate.
At this year’s ICSC RECon conference in Las Vegas, Flynn appeared alongside two-term chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, Ben Bernanke, for a discussion about the future of omni-channel retail. Flynn commented that big box spaces are in high demand, “We’re seeing office supply users and the off-price sector gobbling it up,” he said.
He appeared on REIT.com’s CEO Spotlight, also in June, to show why an all-time low in supply is good for business. “When we look at the supply coming online, it’s very measured in terms of the amount coming on each year, and that’s good for business,” he said. Flynn also spoke to CoStar.com about the impact German-grocer Lidl will have on U.S. retail, and Bisnow highlighted his thoughts about retailers adjusting to the era of online shopping.
Flynn was named as one of the top CEOs in commercial real estate, and “The One to Watch” in Real Estate Forum’s June edition. Forbes also ranked him as the fourth most powerful CEO under 40.
This is why investors love REITs
In the very-near future, REITs will become its own global industrial classification (GIC) sector, highlighting the strength of REITs — and as a result, Kimco’s attractiveness to investors. As a counterpoint to the seemingly risky business of retail lending, investing in REITs is another option. Kimco was mentioned in a Commercial Observer article about retail investing for its focus on shopping centers, citing that its shares rose 50 percent in the last five years.
Jim Cramer, one of the most visible investors in the United States, highlighted on TheStreet why Kimco is a REIT that’s performing incredibly well. Kimco’s performance was also spotlighted on The Real Deal, as Flynn explained why Kimco’s management is focused on specific assets and goals, like improving its credit rating.
Acquisitions and dispositions
Kimco has a considerable presence in Florida, and the company purchased the remaining shares of two properties — Oakwood Plaza and Dania Pointe – to assume full ownership. The move represents Kimco’s commitment to these properties and the strategic decision to reduce our joint ventures.
In Q2, Kimco continued refining its portfolio with the sale of our interests in a 17-property Canadian portfolio. The strategic USD $324 million deal with Vancouver-based Anthem Properties Group is aligned with our 2020 Vision, which includes enhancing Kimco’s portfolio with a focus on high-quality U.S. shopping centers in core markets. In June, Kimco also closed on the sale of the East Orlando Shopping Center.
Check back in October for highlights from the third quarter. Have a great summer!
