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The Urban Land Institute identifies shopping centers under 5 main categories for the purpose of research and industry analysis. These categories of shopping center are not necessarily defined by the size of the buildings or total area of the site, but more by its tenant makeup and the scope of its customer base/captive market.

The 5 main types of shopping center are:

- Convenience Shopping Center
- Neighborhood Shopping Center
- Super Community Shopping Center
- Regional Shopping Center
- Super Regional Shopping Center

Each shopping center has its own characteristics and will have a range of tenants covering a variety of sectors from multiple department stores to convenience stores, apparel outlets to recreational facilities.

The owners, developers and managers of shopping centers have a key role, along with major anchor tenants, in creating the most effective range of tenants who can compliment and improve the business and trade of each other - ultimately increasing the profitability of the shopping center.

Many prospective tenants have stringent requirements with regard to their preferred location or type of shopping center to improve their chances of operating a profitable business. While demographics, physical location and traffic counts are important in the choice of location for tenants - other factors such as whether the shopping center is 'open air' or 'enclosed' will be crucial. These prospective tenants will also have stipulations as to whether they can operate from an 'in-line' location between other tenants or if they need an 'end-cap' location with a separate patio dining area.

The shopping center type and tenant mix will dictate the operating receipts for the property owners - Rent, Common Area Charges and miscellaneous income from pay phones, vending machines and other amenity/facility charges. With a more attractive tenant mix the property owners stands to increase operating income.

However, with higher foot traffic and property use there are the related operating expenses to ensure that the center remains an attractive, safe and clean environment for existing tenants, prospective tenants and customers. These expenses include parking lot maintenance, mall maintenance, sidewalk pressure washing services and other common area costs. Additionally, there are building maintenance and repair costs, tenant space utility costs, office area expenses and other expenses related to advertising real estate taxes and insurance.

The development and management of a successful shopping center property is complex and directly requires competent, skillful property managers, maintenance engineers, leasing agents, lawyers and vendors. The selection of the correct team will ultimately benefit the tenants, owners, customers and all property stakeholders.

Retail Store Front Pressure Washing

Many retail companies are more than familiar with the importance of the first impression formed by their customers - millions of dollars are spent each year on branding, signage, store fixtures and fittings and overall customer experience.

With this in mind, the entrance to any store should be free from anything that will detract from the customer experience. Is the entrance boring, cluttered or have signage that is not welcoming to the customer? Is the signage handwritten and taped to the window? The visual impact made on the customer upon walking into the store can often affect their decision to actually make a purchase.

Another crucial element to how the condition of the storefront can affect the customers experience is its cleanliness. The importance and need for regularly scheduled pressure washing of storefronts, sidewalks and canopies can not be understated in helping to provide a welcoming retail experience. With foot traffic and the placement of trash cans at the entrance comes the related dirt, gum, spillage and stains that make the retail storefront an unpleasant environment for customers to walk through.

The use of hot water pressure washing methods can safely and effectively remove gum and surface stains without damaging the concrete - after all, the decision to invest money in having the retail storefront pressure washed should deliver increased value, and not an added expense in having to repair damage caused by less scrupulous pressure washing contractors.

It would be wise for the retail store manager to check the references of the pressure washing contractor, check that they have the relevant licenses and insurance coverage and ask them questions on their methods to ensure that they are getting the best pressure washing service.

With a competitive retail environment, economic challenges and an empowered shopper, retailers can not afford to ignore cleanliness and its impact on the customer buying experience. A clean, well-lit and inviting store entrance may not make the store an overnight success, but the employment of storefront pressure washing services will assist in increasing the dollar value of each customer visiting the store.