New York's Fifth Avenue heads ranking of worlds top shopping streets (US)

New York's Fifth Avenue has retained its top position as the world's most expensive shopping street in the world, according to Main Streets Across the World, an annual report by Cushman & Wakefield. An average 93 m² unit on Fifth Avenue, at its most expensive stretch near the junction with 57th Street, now costs around US$1.35 million (€1.07 million) a year.

Main Streets Across the World 2005 tracks retail rents in the world's top 233 shopping locations across 47 countries around the world. The report's global league table is drawn up by taking the most expensive location in each of the countries monitored.

John Strachan, Cushman & Wakefield's Global Head of Retail, says: "Shopping is a global activity – from the main streets of Buenos Aires, to New York, Paris and New Delhi. Worldwide, the sector has seen a vibrant year, with new store openings, new formats, retailers entering new markets, in particular the emerging markets, and existing schemes being refurbished in more developed markets to cater for evolving consumer and occupier demand."

Ranking 2006 (top 10)
1 USA, New York,5th Avenue
2 Hong Kong , Hong Kong, Causeway Bay
3 France, Paris, Avenue des Champs Elysées
4 UK, London, New Bond Street
5 Japan, Tokyo, Ginza
6 Ireland, Dublin, Grafton Street
7 Switzerland, Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse
8 Australia , Sydney, Pitt Street Mall
9 South Korea, Seoul, Myeongdong
=10 Germany, Munich, Kaufingerstraße
=10 Greece, Athens, Ermou

The world ranking sees little movement at the top, with Hong Kong (Causeway Bay) retaining its second place and Paris (Avenue des Champs Elysées) its third place. The biggest riser is the Indian capital of New Delhi, with the most expensive location being Khan Market, having gone up 17 places to now be in 24th place.

Sanjay Dutt, Executive Director for Transaction Services, Cushman & Wakefield in India, says: "The 'organised' retail sector in India is forecast to grow by around 40-45 per cent on an annual basis over the next five years. Currently it has a mere 2 -3 per cent share of the total market, but this is foreseen to grow to up to 12-14 per cent by the end of this decade."

India's retail growth story has been spurred by the country's rapid economic growth and by increasing levels of disposable income, together with a higher consumer awareness towards the Western shopping environment and entertainment trends

With respect to Khan Market, the most expensive location in India, Sanjay Dutt says: "Branded players look for quality space in a good location, which is exactly what Khan Market offers. This in turn has pushed up rents in the district because of a lack of available space. The area is located in the heart of a premium residential pocket, housing diplomats, industrialists, civil servants and high-net worth individuals, and offers a mix of local and international brands, including Nike, Benetton, Swarovski, McDonald's, Barista and Bandhej, among others."

Other significant risers in the ranking are the Belgian capital Brussels (Rue Neuve), up five places to 23rd, and the Romanian capital Bucharest (Bulevardul Magheru), up six places to 30th, with activity boosted with Romania on track to join the European Union in 2007.

On a regional basis, Asia Pacific has seen the highest rental increases in local currency terms; rents are up 20% in the year to June 2006. India's retail locations have all seen big rental increases, and, adds Sebastian Skiff, Cushman & Wakefield's Head of Retail in Asia Pacific: "In China, the government has recently approved a significant number of applications by foreign retailers, unlocking the doors for a flood of new retailers entering what is one of the world's most dynamic emerging markets."

Worldwide, rents rose or were stable in 97 per cent of locations monitored, falling in only three per cent. Looking ahead, Darren Yates, Associate, European Research, Cushman & Wakefield, and the report's author, says: "The demand for modern retail property will continue to grow worldwide, in particular with the

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