Retail market changing in Regina as Cornwall stores close

While there will soon be more empty spaces at the Cornwall Centre, it doesn’t mark the beginning of the end of retail in Regina.

According to John Hopkins, CEO of the Regina Chamber of Commerce, there is still a lot of retail investment happening in the city – just not necessarily in the malls.

“When you look at Costco and there’s significant investment on the east side, there’s also been Harbour Landing, as well as east Regina, a little bit in north Regina – so there’s still quite a bit of retail space that’s being occupied, but the market is changing, there’s no question about that.”

Hopkins said there are a number of different things going on with retail right now, including the impact of online shopping and the trend toward big box stores.

“Things are changing.”

He said that brings up some worries about the viability of the traditional mall.

“I’m not saying that they’re not viable right now at all, but, just that’s an ongoing concern if this continues.”