Australia Global Property Forum 2021 | Investment Innovation Institute i3 | 9 November 2021 | TBA, Melbourne Vic, Australia

Hermit crabs are soft-bodied and vulnerable crustaceans which are very dependent on their shells for protection. As such, they will only leave because they have outgrown their existing accommodation (ie shells) or for copulation.

For many years, Australian investors have benefited from investing in the local commercial property market, enjoying robust returns mainly from traditional retail and office sectors.

However, Australia is not immune to global macroeconomic and secular trends, including the Amazon effect that has almost decimated retail.

Like the hermit crab, the search for yield and the need for diversification will inevitably nudge investors to consider opportunities beyond the core sectors and markets.