Michael Baker

Michael Baker was director of research at the New York-based International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) until 2003. In this role he oversaw dozens of industry research studies and surveys, and became one of the most  respected shopping center and retail analysts in the US.

Now, based in Sydney, he is an independent economic consultant working on retail projects in the pre-development and repositioning phases. He also works with small retailers on expansion and survival strategies. Project locations include Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Latin America and the U.S.

Michael is vice-chair of ICSC’s Asia-Pacific Research Council and an emeritus member of its North American Research Advisory Task Force. He writes a weekly retail column for Fairfax publications (primarily the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age).