Southeast

Richmond’s retail market continues to be one of the bright spots in commercial real estate, and it’s not difficult to understand why. While many markets across the country are still working through elevated vacancies and changing consumer habits, Richmond continues to benefit from steady population growth, a diverse economy and a retail inventory that remains remarkably full. Retailers continue to expand here. Investors continue to buy here. And perhaps most importantly, consumers continue to support both national brands and local businesses in a meaningful way. The result is a market that feels healthy, active and well-positioned for future growth. Quality space is hard to find If there’s one thing everyone in can agree on today, it’s that quality retail space is increasingly difficult to find in Richmond. Vacancy throughout the region remains exceptionally low, particularly in established corridors, hovering at around 3.6 percent in the second quarter. Areas like Short Pump, Midlothian and many neighborhood shopping center locations continue to operate with very little available inventory, creating a competitive environment for retailers looking to enter the market or expand existing operations. This has caused rents to continue to trend upward, leaving the landlord with the upper hand. The interesting part …