Las Vegas’ retail market is now clearly showing the strain of the recession. Decreased consumer spending has directly impacted local retailers, as unemployment climbs and shoppers find themselves with less discretionary income. Holiday season revenues were the weakest on record, and luxury stores, apparel chains and department stores all reported declining sales. Meanwhile, developers continue to experience difficulties securing financing for planned projects. As a result, several planned projects are on hold, and few of the currently planned and under construction projects should open in 2009 and 2010. Underperformance, the liquidity crunch and tighter credit terms with vendors, combined with the recession, made it impossible for many large box retailers to remain in business, thus bringing on the vast amount of power center vacancies. Small local retailers relied on SBA loans and equity from residential properties and saw both of these sources vanish, thus preventing many from opening new stores and leaving many strip centers with higher vacancies. Retailers that are performing well are very cautious regarding expansion. With already close to 3 million square feet of vacant large box retail space in the Las Vegas market, expect to see vacancies continue to rise this year. However, increased vacancies provide …
Retail
The traditionally strong retail leasing market on the west side of Los Angeles mirrors the trends experienced throughout the rest of the county. The last part of third quarter 2008 saw a rise in retail vacancies, which is emblematic of the ever-worsening economy as seen in the rise in bankruptcy fillings, many retail closings and shelved expansion plans. Rental rates throughout the west side have been falling by as much as 20 percent while vacancy rates have risen from 3 to 4 percent in second quarter 2008 to 5 to 7 percent. However, unlike many national landlords, there have been few reports of west side landlords aggressively seeking to renew tenants earlier than normal. Even the glamorous Beverly Hills submarket has seen this vacancy increase with properties staying on the market longer and asking rental rates slipping 10 to 15 percent. Yet it should be noted that asking rates on the famed Rodeo Drive have been between $45 and $60 per square foot per month, and even far less traveled Brighton Way has seen landlords getting more than $20 per square foot per month. The Golden Triangle should get a boost from the November 24, 2008, opening of the five-star …
The Phoenix retail market expansion has slowed down considerably as it experiences the continued effects of the economic downturn. A decline in consumer spending, negative job growth and a housing market still struggling to recover will keep development to a minimum while vacancies increase in existing centers. At the end of 2008, the valley’s vacancy was 10 percent and should rise above 11 percent during 2009. A return to record vacancy rates seen during the 1980s is unlikely because of the slowdown in construction. In 2008, there was roughly 6.5 million square feet of new retail space delivered, but in 2009 planned projects will be put on hold. One reason is there is no pre-leasing being done, and in many cases banks require guaranteed tenants before they will consider construction loans. In response, developers are changing their focus from new ground-up development to infill and redevelopment properties. Expect more national, regional and local retailers to close during 2009. The list of major store closures in 2008 included national retailers Mervyn’s, Linens ‘n Things and Circuit City. There is still a short list of national retailers looking for space in the valley, including Wal-Mart, Fresh & Easy, Fry’s and Dunkin Donuts. …
What area is your expertise? West Michigan — Traverse City to Benton Harbor. What type of retail product is doing well in your area? Grocery and gas. What retailers are new to your area? Sonic and Johnny’s Lunch. Who are the active retail developers in your area? Several wish they were active, however, the lack of retailers coupled with the lack of financing has prevented several deals from moving forward. Please name one or two significant retail developments in your area. What impact will these projects have on the market? The Corner Shops, southeast corner of East Beltline and 28th Street SE, Jared’s and other inline retailers. Minimal impact on the market in general. Evergreen Properties proposed Lifestyle Center at the NE corner of Knapp and East Beltline avenues. They’ve secured D&W Grocery Store and have tentative agreements with several other retailers. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Aikens proposed development, which is less than one mile north of this site. Acquisition of the former Rogers Department store by Israel’s fine furniture on 28th Street SE will clearly have a dramatic impact on the southwest section of 28th Street. Where is the majority of development taking …
What area is your expertise? Reno/Sparks, Nevada What trends do you see presently in retail development in your area? We are seeing an increase in vacancy rates in both anchor spaces and in-line shops, as some existing tenants are vacating. What type of retail product is doing well in your area? As in most areas, Costco, Sam’s, Wal-Marts, and Dollar Stores are seeing increased sales. Sales have shifted to retailers with perceived value. Subway’s has also reported increased sales with their $5 sub sandwich promotion. What retailers are new to your area? Dillard’s, Cabella’s, Scheel’s and RC Willey. Who are the active retail developers in your area? Lewis Operating, Red Development and Bayer Properties. Please name one or two significant retail developments in your area. What impact will these projects have on the market? Damonte Ranch Town Center developed by Lewis Operating. The center is anchored by The Home Depot, Office Depot and RC Willey. The center has additional anchor space available. It is located in south Reno east of U.S. 395 at Steamboat and Damonte Ranch Parkway. This center is located in the middle of a master-planned community that will have over 15,000 homes in the immediate area when …
The Pacific Northwest’s regional economy remains strong even after being impacted by the national and global economic trends. Unemployment is up to 5.3 percent in the region. Housing sales have also slowed, however, sales prices have increased slightly. Most retailers’ sales have increased although across-the-board sales have been flat, since auto and furniture sales are down, due to rising fuel prices and fewer home sales, respectively. Questionable shopping center projects are now being placed on hold or have become staged developments, while well located, designed and tenanted centers are going forward. Well-placed neighborhood centers continue to be planned and developed, though some neighborhood centers have been impacted by Wal-Mart Supercenters and Winco Foods, causing nearby grocers to close or reposition. This has resulted in large vacancies in a few neighborhood centers. Regional and community centers have also seen a few more vacancies, which has caused some retailers previously suffering from poor sales to close stores, while others are taking a more cautious approach to expansion. National retail apparel chains have slowed, bypassing most community center opportunities. Regional malls continue adding lifestyle components. At Southcenter in Tukwila, Washington, a second lifestyle component could be added to the north side of the …
The Albuquerque metro is maintaining a steady retail market. Keys to this steadiness include year-over-year positive job growth, consistent population expansion, low unemployment and a measured expansion of retail inventory since 2000. On the other side of the coin are two items of concern: some flatness in retailer sales figures and retailers being impacted by their stores in other marketplaces outside the Albuquerque metro. Albuquerque’s retail sector of 27.28 million square feet (measured from buildings equal to or exceeding 10,000 square feet in size) has posted a vacancy rate of 7.8 percent across all product types, down from 8.1 percent last year. Asking rents for new construction shop space are $20 to $28 per square foot per year NNN. In the Cottonwood Mall and Uptown submarkets, top spaces are in the $30 to $45 per square foot range. Asking rents for new mid-size and large space range from $16 to $20 per square foot per year and $12 to $16 per square foot per year, respectively. Active submarkets within the Albuquerque metro area are Uptown, Far Northeast Heights and the South Valley. In Uptown in the past 2 years, Coronado Mall and ABQ Uptown have welcomed the leading tenants in …
What area is your expertise? Summit County, Ohio What trends do you see presently in retail development in your area? Change of use and or contraction of older areas due to demographic and economic changes. Example: Rolling Acres Mall – redevelopment into light industrial. What type of retail product is doing well in your area? Essentially high-end and discount retail stores. Williams-Sonoma, Coach, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Wal-Mart, Marc’s Discount Stores, Gabriel Brother’s and Big Lot’s. What retailers are new to your area? Aldo, Coach, Ann Taylor Loft, Coldwater Creek, Bravo Italian Bistro and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Five Guys Burgers. Who are the active retail developers in your area? Stark, Simon, Marchetta, Deville, Altman, and Developer’s Diversified. Please name one or two significant retail developments in your area. What impact will these projects have on the market? Summit Mall expansion, Fairlawn, Ohio — Developed by Simon: Bravo Cucina Restaurant, Ann Taylor Loft, Coldwater Creek and others. Wadsworth Crossing, Wadsworth, Ohio — Developed by Forest City: Anchored by Kohl’s, The Home Depot, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as a few specialty retailers. Arlington Ridge Market Place, Green, Ohio — Developer Deville: Anchored by Target and specialty retail: Alltel Wireless, …
What area is your expertise? The greater Salt Lake City area and Utah. What trends do you see presently in retail development in your area? After a record year in 2007, with absorption of over 1.9 million square feet of retail space, this year is expected to slow down somewhat due to the pullback by many retailers nationwide and the tightening of the financial markets. Existing centers will remain strong and should not experience any significant increase in vacancy or decrease in lease rate. What type of retail product is doing well in your area? Grocery-anchored centers are still very strong mainly because the support types tenants are still expanding and our market remains one of the strongest in the country. What retailers are new to your area? The Cheesecake Factory, Whole Foods Market, Ulta, Sunflower Market, El Pollo Loco, Shari’s Restaurant, Corner Bakery, Red Mango, Stage Stores, Egg & I, and In & Out Burger. Who are the active retail developers in your area? The Boyer Company, The Woodbury Corporation, Amsource Development, Four Square Development and Taubman. Please name one or two significant retail developments in your area. What impact will these projects have on the market? The City …
The Soho neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City, has become synonymous with shopping and entertainment. Bounded by Houston Street on the north, Layfayette Street in the east, Canal Street on the south and Sixth Avenue on the west, the growing popularity of the area has made it the place to be for retailers. Just in the last few years, the retail rental rates on Broadway in Soho have increased dramatically. Three years ago, retail rents on the first block on Broadway between Prince and Houston streets were around $200 per square foot, but today even small space on the first and second blocks of Broadway are ranging from $400 to $500 per square foot. Many high-end fashion retailers are clamoring to open stores in Soho not just for the opportunity for high retail sales, but to have a presence in one of Manhattan’s most sought after markets. Hugo Boss recently signed a substantial lease on Broadway between Prince and Spring streets, which in turn has prompted other major fashion retailers to seek space in the area. Many top European designers are also beginning to look for space in the Soho area. The Soho area is not just attracting small shop …