When people think of Memphis, they often picture its musical legacy, its storied riverfront and its role as a logistics powerhouse. But fewer realize that Memphis is also quietly becoming one of the Southeast’s most dynamic retail markets. Despite headwinds that have impacted large-format retailers nationally, Memphis continues to attract new-to-market brands, redevelop aging assets and create spaces that resonate with today’s consumers. Economic foundations Memphis is riding a wave of transformational investment across multiple sectors. Ford Motor Co.’s $5.6 billion Blue Oval City, where the company’s all-electric truck and battery plant will be built, is already reshaping the regional economy. Google’s announcement of a 1,178-acre, $10 billion data center and office campus in nearby West Memphis in Arkansas adds another layer of momentum, as does the creation of the world’s largest supercomputer by xAI. Coupled with St. Jude’s $10 billion expansion, these projects underscore the region’s growth trajectory and long-term employment base. In retail, the past year brought a temporary pause in net absorption, with approximately 317,000 square feet coming back to the market — primarily due to national big-box closures like Macy’s, Joann Fabrics and Big Lots. Yet these macro shifts don’t tell the whole story. By the …
