Retail Stores Close - What Instead?

[Alon Haramati]

Hi All,

I live in Tel Aviv, Israel, and I'm following the trend here on two main streets since the outbreak of COVID-19 - Almost every day another store is added to the list of stores with a "For Rent/Sale" sign. 

I feel sorry for the business owners and hopefully they'll find a new path soon. In the meantime, seems like these spaces won't be rented anytime soon. 

What would be the best way for investors (with liquidity) to utilize these spaces? I thought that due to the rise in e-commerce, we could buy these spaces and convert them into "last mile" storage facilities for online retailers. Numbers have to make sense though, as the purchase price per SQFT and annual municipality taxes aren't cheap. 

Same applies to office spaces that are starting the same trend. Here a different allocation is required. 

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Alon