Being at the frontline of the business war on COVID-19, LJ Hooker Commercial’s property management divisions are well-aware of the industries with negatively-affected tenants.

But amongst these extraordinary times, there are businesses that are flourishing and assets that are in demand.

Office

Life in Australia’s CBDs is slowly being revived. Employers are staggering their workforces with some staff returning to the office and some remaining at home as part of their COVID-19 workplace safety plans.

Professional services consultants supporting construction – engineers, environmental consultants, IT systems specialists and more - are amongst those who have returned to work. There is a host of infrastructure projects either in planning, demolition or construction phases across Australia right now: Western Sydney Airport, Australia’s Inland Rail (Melbourne to Brisbane), Brisbane’s Cross River Rail, the M80 Ring Road Upgrade, Perth’s METRONET and more. As major employers, these projects are ‘recovery’ priorities in the eyes of governments.

Professionals in the education sector are also in need of space. A large number of workers will utilise the JobKeeper packages as an opportunity to take stock and evaluate their career outlook. Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and online education providers will capitalise on the cultural shift toward upskilling.

The Federal Government has also announced changes to the fees of university degrees from next year with courses for in-need skills such as agriculture, STEM, teaching and others receiving significant discounts.

The shake-up may see demand for CBD-based campus space.

Retail

Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have enjoyed a purple-patch in trading during the pandemic.

Over the last few months, panic shopping has created scenes in the aisles which are akin to Easter and Christmas. There were purchasing restrictions placed on everything from mince to pasta and toilet rolls.

The big supermarket chains have provided support to other traders around them - essential businesses like pharmacies and allied health services including physiotherapists. 

Takeaway food operators with a point of difference have leveraged the run of trading supermarket operators enjoyed. Operators that share the same centres or are in proximity to the large supermarkets have traded well.  

And while there were question marks on whether bottle shops should have been deemed ‘essential’ or not, while pubs and clubs were shuttered, takeaway alcohol sales boomed. 

In Victoria, where a spike in transmitted COVID-19 cases was recorded between June 15-22, planned easing of restrictions in the hospitality industry have been pushed back. But elsewhere, pubs and clubs – lifebloods of many communities – are slowly welcoming back patrons.

Industrial

Health equipment and medicine manufacturers had been riding a wave of success before COVID-19 as Australia’s population ages.

However, supply orders skyrocketed against the backdrop of the global health challenge and businesses are looking for additional space to scale.

Operators that are involved in the supermarket supply chains have a strong outlook as the Federal Government regards supermarkets as an ‘essential’ service.

Border restrictions in China are easing for exporters and importers.

The Europe-China rail freight line reopened in late March after being shut for two months.

According to Austrade, affordable meat orders bounced in late March.

Sales of premium meat are resuming as restaurants and re-open with smaller bookings.

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