CBRE Strengthens Its Retail Capital Markets Offering with Melbourne Appointment

CBRE has bolstered its Victorian Retail Capital Markets team with the appointment of Jamie Hess amid growing demand for retail investment opportunities.

Mr Hess joined CBRE’s Retail Valuations team in 2021. In transferring to his new Capital Markets role he will work alongside Sam Guest, who joined the firm in August 2024 as part of CBRE’s growing and highly active middle markets presence.

The pair will work closely with the wider national Capital Markets team to continue to drive exceptional results for clients with a focus on standalone retail properties, neighbourhood shopping centres and large format retail centres in Victoria.

CBRE’s Senior National Director of Retail Capital Markets – Pacific, James Douglas said the recent appointments would further strengthen our market leading national middle markets team and service delivery for our clients.

“CBRE’s Middle Markets team transacted approximately $1 billion in retail assets in 2024 nationally. Sam and Jamie will assist with the growth of our platform as we see growing investor demand for retail assets,” Mr Douglas said.

“Jamie and Sam’s highly technical skills are focused on delivering exceptional results for our clients as we further strengthen our presence in the Victorian market,” he added.

CBRE data shows retail transaction volumes improved significantly in 2024, growing by 43% y-o-y across Australia. Investors continue to identify the sector as undervalued given the challenges for new construction and the prospects for retail rental uplifts over the medium term. Across Australia, transaction volumes for retail reached $9.2 billion in 2024, which was well above the 20-year average of $7.0 billion per year.