Retail Recovery - 2021

March 2020 brought the greatest upheaval to the retail industry we’ve seen. Non-essential retailers lost significant revenue and many – particularly restaurants and apparel stores – were forced to file bankruptcy and close hundreds of stores. More than a year-and-a-half later, with vaccines and a greater understanding of COVID transmission, economic and retail fundamentals have steadily been improving.

As retail real estate recovery gains steam, there are 5 key takeaways we noted:

5 key post-COVID retail takeaways

1. Retailers eye the Sunbelt and the suburbs
2. Open air centers are retail’s strongest asset
   
3. Good malls are here to stay 
   
4. ECommerce found a new plateau
   
5. Urban retail will return with office workers and tourists... but it will take time