Ken Gunn has provided specialist real estate feasibility and investment studies for more than 30 years. He spent the initial part of his career working for major UK retailers and property advisors and the last two decades in senior roles at CACI, FSP and Pragma, where he led more than 600 consultancy projects. Notable commissions include feasibility studies for Westfield London, Edinburgh St James and Victoria Quarter Leeds, asset strategies for Birmingham Bullring, Brent Cross Shopping Centre and The Dubai Mall and Pre-Acquisition studies at Liffey Valley SC Dublin, Highcross SC Leicester and St Enoch SC Glasgow.
Ken is an internationally recognised authority on Designer Outlet Centres. He has worked on more than 180 outlet projects in 35 countries over 15 years, providing direction for new developments, growth strategies for existing assets and explaining trading opportunities to brands, operators and investors. Examples include:
Feasibility Studies – Alpes The Style Outlets (FR), Fashion Arena Prague (CZ), Gazi Outlet (GR), Honfleur Normandy Outlet (FR), Springfields Outlet & Gardens (UK) and West Midlands Designer Outlet (UK)
Growth Strategies – Cheshire Oaks (UK), Clarks Village (UK), Gunwharf Quays (UK), Franciacorta Village (IT), McArthurGlen Troyes (FR), Roppenheim The Style Outlets (FR) and Valdichiana Village (IT)
Pre-Acquisition Studies - Braintree Village (UK), Designer Outlet Soltau (DE), Designer Outlet Wolfsburg (DE), Landquart Fashion Outlet (CH), Roosendaal Designer Outlet (NL) and Troyes Designer Outlet (FR)
Ken’s consultancy approach can be described as a comprehensive and highly contextualised examination of site potential which is evidence based, forward looking and incorporates the latest best practice and emerging trends. He is particularly skilled at helping clients adapt the outlet format to operate in smaller markets, to become regional tourism or leisure destinations and to suit more urban locations. This includes the conversion of redundant shopping malls into outlet centres.
To support his advice, Ken maintains a unique database of outlet centre catchments, brand portfolios, site characteristics, trading performance and news. This has evolved to become the leading source of statistics and trend information for the European outlet industry and Ken has presented extracts at more than 20 ICSC, MAGDUS and MAPIC conferences. His insight on emerging trends and innovation can also be found in press articles around the world, from The Australian to The Wall Street Journal.
In May 2019, Ken established Ken Gunn Consulting to meet growing demand from the outlet community for his services. Ken now focusses solely on outlet centres and is using his expertise to ensure that the format maintains its impressive sales growth into the future.
To get in touch please contact ken@kengunn.co.uk