You can’t get what you don’t ask for 🙏

I (Abby) do not have any tattoos. This will come as a surprise to many, who are surely thinking “but she SO cool and edgy. So counterculture! She really makes redlines seem punk rock.” 👩🏻‍🎤

I do, however, have a number of retail real estate truisms that would come in handy if I ever DID have them tattooed on my body. Chief among them? “EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE”

As we negotiate our deals, Pedal Retailers learn this is true. Pedal Retailers save $115,000 on average per lease – and that’s just just the tip of the iceberg. 

✅ Need three months free after you open to ramp up sales? Let’s ask for it.

✅ Need short term parking out front for online order pickup? Let’s ask for it.

✅ Need a 20’ multicolored outdoor sculpture to spruce up your outdoor seating area? Let’s ask for it.

It’s really remarkable what you can get if you ask - that’s the whole point of the negotiation process: to construct a deal that helps the tenant thrive so they can maximize revenues, drive traffic to the space and pay rent (and percentage rent) to the landlord on time every month. So the things that you need to make all that happen should absolutely, positively be on the table for discussion.

So how do you prove that the things you’re asking for are “NEED to haves” and not just “might be nice” requests? The business plan, of course! When you present a clear and compelling plan for your business, and the documentation can back up your request for free rent, short term parking, and a 20’ statue, the landlord can understand your ask in the context of the larger picture. 

It’s normal for new retailers to feel uncomfortable pushing back in negotiations…especially when they really, really like a space. What if they think I’m obnoxious in asking for too much? What if they tell me to go fly a kite and I lose this space altogether?

Might that happen? Sure, it could, but if you’re asking for the things you need to be successful, and a landlord says “lose my number”, GOOD! You don’t need to waste time or money on a space that won’t work or a landlord who won’t work with you. ❌

Remember, good lease deals are a marriage of your needs and the landlord’s needs – it’s a true partnership. While you’d probably never tattoo “Me + My Landlord 4Eva” inside a heart on your upper arm, you should feel really good about your commitment.