Conor Flynn, CEO of Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM) and Nareit 2025 Chair, joined the 500 th episode of the REIT Report to provide a close-up view of how a leading retail REIT is navigating today's complex market environment.
Flynn highlighted the resiliency of both the consumer and tenant base in the open-air shopping center space, pointing out that there’s been 13 years of virtually no new supply.
“That obviously is a big benefit and it's showcasing in the occupancy side because occupancies now are at all-time highs. Even with some disruption from tariffs and some smaller bankruptcies, retailers are continuing to expand their footprint and have identified that the store base is really the best opportunity, and the most profitable, to service the consumer in as many ways as possible,” Flynn said.
He noted that convenience and value are “the sweet spot of where consumers are focused today.”
The interview also covered the advantages of scale, assessing new tenants and demand diversification, the success of small operators, ensuring the highest and best use of real estate, ancillary income opportunities, future growth prospects, and more.