Retail
Where retail reigns
Frankston City is one of Victoria's largest and most established retail catchment destinations outside of Melbourne CBD, and still growing. Our retail scene has been supercharged by the new wave of major residential developments taking shape throughout Frankston's city centre that will add thousands of additional residents at the very heart of our main shopping precinct.
Our retail economy is anchored by three major shopping centres, a well-established city centre, strong visitor economy and a growing residential population. As such, an emboldened momentum of national brands, independents and creative boutiques is revitalising our offering.
Bayside Centre, Frankston.
For retailers looking to establish or expand, Frankston City offers a rare combination of scale, destination appeal and future growth. Major retail infrastructure is already in place, and a new wave of higher-income apartment residents is set to reshape the CBD’s day-to-day retail demand over the next three to five years.
Karingal Hub, Frankston.
The retail anchors
Bayside Centre, Frankston.
Frankston City’s retail offer extends beyond a single centre. It is a connected network of major destinations and local precincts, including:
- The Frankston city centre retail strips
- Vicinity's Bayside Shopping Centre (170+ stores)
- Karingal Hub (recent $160 million redevelopment)
- 23 Local Shopping Strips and Neighbourhood Activity Centres across the municipality
- Carrum Downs Lifestyle Centre
- Frankston Power Centre
Together, these locations generate consistent foot traffic and position Frankston City as a key retail destination for Melbourne’s south-east.
Bayside Centre, Frankston.
Why Frankston City for retail investment?
Frankston Power Centre, Frankston.
Frankston City commands an enviable reputation as a powerful commercial ecosystem for retail investment, proudly boasting multiple heavy hitting retail categories and individual draw card brands throughout our anchor retail precincts - from big box brands such as Bunnings, Anaconda, Harvey Norman, JB Hi Fi, Supercheap Auto, to general merchandising such as K Mart, Big W, Target, to general fashion, furniture/homewares, tech/telecoms.
Frankston Power Centre, Frankston.
- A growing city centre population generated by over $600m worth of residential developments in Frankston city centre will guarantee localised foot traffic. Multi-storey apartment complexes will deliver an additional 1,000 to 2,000 new high-income city centre residents by 2027 seeking convenient, walkable, quality retail.
- Major anchor centres such as Bayside, Karingal Hub and Frankston Power Centre provide strong, consistent visitation, which directly supports surrounding retail and city centre precincts.
- Frankston City’s population of 146,500+ is forecast to grow to 161,660 by 2041, increasing overall retail demand across the municipality.
Ground-floor commercial spaces are being delivered as part of these developments, creating new opportunities for retail and hospitality operators. Businesses that establish early can build brand recognition with a catchment that is still emerging.
- Frankston City attracts over 1.2 million visitors each year, driven by the foreshore, major events and its role as the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula. This provides consistent retail demand beyond the local population.
The incoming apartment population represents a genuinely new retail catchment for the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre, higher-income residents who will shop, dine and access services within walking distance of their homes. Many of the developers building these apartments are designing ground-floor commercial tenancies specifically for retail and hospitality activation. Retailers who establish ahead of that residential wave will build customer relationships and brand recognition with a catchment that is arriving, not already served.
Council support
Frankston City Council supports retail businesses through:
- Site identification across the municipality
- Introductions to commercial agents and landlords
- Access to relevant grants and business support programs
- Help navigate council permits, registrations and licenses
Our Investment Officer works directly with businesses to connect them with the right opportunities and support successful establishment.
Contact our Investment Officer