Retail

By Ashish Vakhariya, Marcus & Millichap Detroit’s retail market continues to show pockets of strength amid broader economic and retail sector headwinds. More affluent northern suburbs and the revitalizing urban core have demonstrated greater resilience, while limited construction activity should support the backfilling of existing space. Detroit’s position among the highest-yielding metros in the country will likely remain a key draw for investors, with capital focusing on well-located, necessity-based and service-oriented retail assets. Big-box downsizing and rising cost pressures create a cautious leasing environment: Detroit’s retail landscape recorded more than 1 million square feet of negative net absorption over the nine months that ended in March, with preliminary second-quarter figures indicating continued space relinquishment. Strained consumer demand and structurally challenged retail formats have contributed to a wave of bankruptcies and consolidations among major tenants, including Party City, Big Lots, Macy’s and Walgreens.  Trade policy uncertainty has further heightened tenant caution, as elevated input costs are expected to weigh on leasing activity. A recent Michigan Retailers Association survey found that more than 60 percent of businesses statewide rely on imported goods.  With consumers more price-sensitive, many retailers may struggle to pass on higher costs; however, tenants reliant on locally sourced inventory …