By Philip Levy, senior managing director, investments, Marcus & Millichap The Dallas retail climate is more favorable entering 2022 than it has been for most of the COVID-19 crisis. Overall, the marketwide retail vacancy rate fell 50 basis points during the first three quarters of 2021, ending at an even 6 percent in September. Nevertheless, that rate is about 100 basis points above the pre-pandemic level. A strong rebound in tenant demand is helping lower vacancy, however, with net absorption across the opening nine months of 2021 totaling more than 2.2 million square feet, compared with a net loss of 1.5 million square feet in 2020. Additionally, the construction pipeline has shrunk considerably, helping mitigate supply-side pressure as the market bounces back. As of the fourth quarter of 2021, less than 1 million square feet of new retail product with an expected completion date in 2022 was under construction in the greater Dallas area. This is a sharp contrast to the 2 million-plus square feet that developers delivered in each year between 2014 and 2020. Strengthening demand drivers amid a reduction in development suggest that downward pressure on vacancy will continue in the coming quarters. New Households Spend Near-term uncertainty …
