TV News:  Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. 澳門廣播電視股份有限公司

English https://portugues.tdm.com.mo/evideo.php?vid=8910  [starting from 00:06:31 to 00:08:47]
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Local Press:

Macao Daily News 澳門日報   http://www.macaodaily.com/html/2019-01/31/content_1328486.htm

2019 年1月31日 星期四  仲行:路氹中區零售朝向主題化

【本報消息】澳門美國商會、澳門英國商會及法國澳門工商會昨聯合舉行午餐會,主題為“港珠澳大橋通車對澳門的實際成效分析及對樓市、零售及旅遊業的發展願景”。澳門仲量聯行租賃業務主管唐偉樂表示,認為路氹與中區的零售業各有發展方向,將慢慢趨向主題化。

午餐會昨下午一時假文華東方酒店舉行。澳門美國商會主席謝思訓、澳門英國商會主席紀百利、法國澳門工商會主席溫誠睿向唐偉樂致送紀念品。

港珠澳大橋開通等效應,去年旅客量再創新高。但市場關注旅客流向路氹的新綜合度假村,從而影響零售業分佈考量。唐偉樂表示,路氹與中區的零售發展各有千秋。路氹綜合度假村可以提供面積零售較多,但未必一一適合零售品牌。

此外,因為旅客逗留澳門時間不算很長,行程安排亦有選擇,而且中區有自身特色,不容易被取代。

他認為,中區零售品牌將會慢慢出現變化,逐步會趨向專注一些產品類別,例如手信類、金飾類,打造成手信街、金街,至於時裝、化妝品類可能會逐步轉往商場或路氹。相信不同零售類會趨向集中化,營造出成行成市氛圍,有助提升競爭力,以鮮明形象吸引旅客目的性地消費。

另一方面,現時路氹購物商場較多面積發展零售業,宜適當加入餐飲、娛樂元素,畢竟路氹不同購物商場距離近,商場內經營的零售品牌也有相同,不同購物商場宜有主題,錯位發展。


Macau Daily Times 澳門每日時報   https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/property-expert-calls-for-easing-of-license-acquisition.html

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019  PROPERTY EXPERT CALLS FOR EASING OF LICENSE ACQUISITION

Acquiring operation licenses remains a challenge for business operators keen on starting a firm in the region.

Real estate expert Oliver Tong called on the government to address the issue, noting that it should provide a degree of flexibility when it comes to licensing and even construction permits.

Speaking yesterday on the sidelines of the annual business talk of the American Chamber of Commerce, British Business Association of Macao and the France Macau Chamber of Commerce, Oliver Tong, senior director and head of leasing at Jones Lang LaSalle said a number of clients at the firm had encountered licensing dilemmas.

Tong remarked that Macau has been actively promoting diversified development of tourism and different industries, which has attracted much attention from overseas operators. However, Macau’s complicated laws, regulations and license application procedures have made them move back and give up their plans.

“Sometimes for food and beverages or supermarkets, it can take three to four months before you get the license ready. In those three to four months, they have to pay rent, so they are paying it for nothing [and] that is the very big challenge for [business owners],” Tong told the Times.

“[Licensing procedures] definitely need to be more effective, otherwise many international brands and retailers would say that it is much easier in Hong Kong [so they may] focus on Hong Kong instead,” he added.

The senior director noted that some operational licenses can take up to nine to 12 months before being ready to fully open a firm.

The expert made such comments on the food and beverage sector as it had showed steady growth, mentioning the opening of franchise stores such as Lady M, The Cheesecake Factory and Hey Tea amongst others.

“The other issue is human resources. This deserves more attention from the government because getting enough people to work for them is not easy, and getting foreign quotas is another challenge. It’s always very tight,” Tong commented in regards to other issues the retail sector faces.

“On the landlords’ side, honestly speaking, I don’t think they are open minded enough to accept new concepts. […] They are not open minded and are just focused on developing traditional retail [firms],” he added.

With the increasing supply of retail leasing space in Macau, it is forecasted that over 1 million square feet of retail space will enter the market in 2019.

According to 2019 predictions, a downward adjustment in retail rental costs is expected, yet at the same time, lower rental costs  will create opportunities for experiential entertainment operators, such as VR game centers, trampoline parks, cinemas and food and beverage businesses amongst others.

Furthermore, when questioned over whether local residents are leaning towards purchasing real estate developments in Hengqin, Tong noted that current policies and regulations are not yet attracting local residents to purchase apartments in the region.

“Hengqin always takes time. I don’t think all the required policies are in place right now to attract tenants. Most build infrastructure and big buildings but in terms of software it is [still lacking],” Tong explained.

“I think it is happening progressively but not everything is ready. […] It will take five to ten years at least,” he added.