Watkins Retail Group began in 1977 to serve as part of the real estate arm of Watkins Associated Industries, Inc., a privately held firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. The goal was to provide a wide range and depth of services, including shopping center development, leasing, marketing and property management, while still maintaining a core set of business principles. Watkins has upheld a tradition of honesty and integrity, which has helped us to achieve proven results for over 30 years.
Since the company’s founding, Watkins Retail Group has maintained close, on-going relationships with major retailers, including Publix Supermarkets. To date, the company has developed more than 50 Publix-anchored shopping centers throughout the Southeast. The company continues to develop centers that meet the needs of the community and that fit the dynamics of each specific market.
We design and operate our centers with the needs of both the retailers and consumers in mind. The ability to respond to the needs of merchants has helped Watkins to consistently attain superior results. Many of their retail centers have an annual tenant turnover rate of less than 5%.
In addition to grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers, Watkins Retail Group focuses its efforts on creating new, truly unique development models. With an on-going commitment to serve the public and enrich the lives of children, Watkins has developed a new concept called “Family Festivals.” The idea behind Family Festival retail centers is to create a place where families can eat, play, shop and enjoy. This award-winning concept and design features family-friendly retail and restaurant space built around such amenities as baseball/softball fields, stage area and children’s playgrounds.