Retailers, developers and leasing agents who attended the ICSC LAS VEGAS 2023 conference in May left the show cautiously upbeat about the state of retail. It was only the second consecutive gathering since the pandemic shut down the annual show in 2020 and 2021, and many brands made known their intent to remain in expansion mode, especially fast-casual restaurants, car washes, coffee shops, auto parts stores, entertainment concepts and medical services. The only obstacle stopping them at this point is the higher rental rates that they may have to pay as a consequence of higher construction costs, says George Macoubray, vice president of retail brokerage for NAI Elliott in Portland, Oregon. “A lot of these concepts are doing well,” declares Macoubray, whose Northwest Retail Advisors team represents landlords and regional and national tenants throughout Oregon and Washington. “We’ll see how far these tenants can go in terms of what they pay to fill new projects, but the enthusiasm and willingness to grow is definitely there.” Practicing Vigilance The same can’t be said for ICSC conference attendees who are on the capital markets side of the business. Higher interest rates have fueled a bid-ask spread between buyers and lenders, while regulatory …
