Putting Retail to Work—How Contractors Make a Difference.
- Jason Bryant
- Jun 6
- 5 min read
Brick-and-Mortar Retail Is Still Thriving
“Despite the rise of e-commerce, nearly 85% of US retail sales still occur in-store. To attract customers to physical stores, brands must continually innovate to offer memorable experiences.”
Despite the growth of e-commerce, brick-and-mortar stores are not going away anytime soon. But retailers face their share of challenges in the modern retail landscape. Rising operational costs, competition from online retailers, and changing consumer behaviors are just a few. That’s not to mention inventory management, employee engagement, and building brand awareness. Navigating these complexities, from optimizing store layouts to ensuring on-time grand openings, is where experienced contractors become an indispensable asset, helping retailers not just open their doors, but open them for success.
5 Ways Contractors Help Retailers
As a contractor with retail experience, we can assist retailers in getting up and running in several ways. We understand that retail construction has unique challenges. There is more to it than simply time and money.
1. Time is Money
A retailer wants revenue coming through the door as soon as possible. The clock starts ticking once the lease deposit is made. Pressure is on the contractor to keep the project moving to a rapid completion. Any delays can lead to increased construction costs and lost revenue. Contractors may face higher labor expenses and even potential penalties for late performance. A delay for the retailer may lead to a loss in sales, an increase in advertising expenses, and additional rent or mortgage payments.
“In North America, 98% of construction projects face delays, on average stretching the duration of the work 37% longer than the projected scope.”
We Can Keep You On Schedule
PMG understands the special needs of retail construction. It’s essential to adhere to a rigorous process to meet in-progress deadlines. Most importantly, we pay particular attention to long lead items, material substitutions, supply chain disruptions, subcontractor availability, and permits/inspections. Success comes by anticipating potential challenges rather than reacting to them.
2. Local Matters
Local contractors have local knowledge to get local work done better. One of the most significant factors in being local is how to navigate local building regulatory requirements, permits, and inspections. Local contractors are well-versed in the specific building codes, zoning laws, and permitting procedures applicable to the area in which they work. They understand exactly what is needed for a successful permit application and avoid common mistakes and delays. Local contractors often have established relationships with city inspectors and building department staff. These connections can help expedite the review process and provide insight into potential issues. Familiarity with the local inspection standards and procedures can make it easier to prepare for inspections and ensure they pass on the first try.
“The permitting process is a common source of delays, often involving time-consuming coordination with local authorities and maintaining compliance. Currently, this process is plagued by inefficiencies and errors due to outdated systems, human mistakes, and bureaucratic red tape.”
We Will Leverage Our Local Familiarity
PMG has worked in the Denver market for over 10 years. Knowing our way around the regulatory process has been essential to keeping projects on track. Much of our success can be attributed to our reputation. Building departments and inspectors know that we don’t take shortcuts. Our credibility has built trust and confidence. That translates to an efficient process where milestones are consistently met.
3. Built to Last
Building retail facilities with low lifetime maintenance requirements is crucial for long-term cost savings, operational efficiency, and improved customer experience. We know that by prioritizing low-maintenance design and construction, retailers can reduce their ongoing expenses, ensure building systems operate smoothly, and create a more appealing and safe environment for customers.
“Investing in premium-quality building materials can streamline the construction process. High-quality materials are often easier to work with, more consistent in quality, and come with better manufacturer support. This can reduce construction times, minimize waste, and lower the overall cost of the project by reducing the need for repairs and adjustments.” Advanced Building Corporation
We Build For the Long Term
PMG's retail projects are more than just finishing the work on time and on budget. We take into account the lifetime costs of materials and construction quality that will help ensure durability. We know that retailers are challenged with increasing operational costs. Anything we can do in the construction phase to mitigate post-construction maintenance is a win for the retailer.
4. Innovation Pays
It’s common knowledge that value engineering will usually lead to cost savings without sacrificing quality. Any retailer would welcome that. For multi-unit retailers, any savings will be exponential. Which is why a multi-unit retailer will be willing to spend the extra time, effort, and sometimes cost to explore and test different ways to achieve the same design results. In fact most major retail chains will prototype one or more locations with the specific objective to test construction techniques, product performance, material alternatives, modular viability and other considerations. PetSmart, for example, prototyped several different new build and retrofit stores to test store layout configurations, product placement, fixture design, materials, lighting, and construction techniques. When you consider they have over 1600 locations, any cost and performance efficiencies are multiplied across the network.
“Efficiency lies at the heart of value engineering. By re-evaluating design choices, construction methods, and operational processes, value engineering uncovers opportunities to streamline workflows, eliminate bottlenecks, and optimize resource utilization.”
We Help Maximize Your Investment
At PMG, we are always looking for ways to save money and improve quality for our clients. We know how critical it is for a retail start-up and what an opportunity it is for a retail chain. We have experience in all different types of construction and bring that expertise to our retail clients. Being resourceful and innovative is balanced with what’s practical and viable. We don’t just build; we consult on innovative solutions from day one, helping retailers leverage value engineering to maximize their investment.
5. Brands Rely on Trust
One of the most essential principles of branding is CONSISTENCY. For multi-unit retailers, this is a challenge. Different locations and conditions make it difficult to replicate the same standard. Which is why design and brand standards are so essential in how they are interpreted and adapted to fit across a range of locations. Consistency reinforces an expectation that the service, product, and experience will always be the same. That’s how retailers build loyalty and trust. Consider how Starbucks has managed to replicate the Starbucks Experience across all of its locations, big, small, in-line, or free-standing.
“To accumulate lifelong customers, companies need to build trust. This can be accomplished through brand awareness and brand consistency.”
We Can Deliver on Brand Consistency
PMG understands the importance of brand consistency and the value it adds to our end-user retail client. From one location to the next, the same quality of construction, materials, and attention to detail must be maintained. Our role and responsibility are to make sure that happens.
Contractors, in general, are not necessarily too concerned about brand. What makes us different is the importance we place on brand consistency and our role in achieving that. We are one of the few, if not only, contractors to be associated with a brand management consultancy with experience in multi-unit branded environments.
PMG Gets Retail
At PMG, we understand the challenges of the retail business. We get it. It is our job to get the retailer up and running as soon as possible. We work in close collaboration with our clients, architects, suppliers, and partners to keep things moving. Helping a retailer open its doors as soon as possible is the value of construction processes and expertise that ensures progress that gets results.
If you need help with your retail construction project, just call (720)-583-5585 or email us at info@pmgconstruction.com