Jeff Edison, chairman and CEO of Phillips Edison & Co. (Nasdaq: PECO), sat down for a video interview at Nareit’s REITweek: 2026 Investor Conference in New York, June 1-4.
Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, retailers remain focused on long-term expansion. Edison said retailer sentiment was surprisingly positive at a recent industry gathering in Las Vegas, with many companies continuing to pursue growth despite concerns about consumer confidence and the broader economy.
That optimism is supporting Phillips Edison’s acquisition pipeline. The company expects to acquire between $400 million and $500 million in properties this year and has already completed about $200 million in acquisitions. Edison added that more assets are coming to market, creating additional opportunities despite increased competition among buyers.
Edison also emphasized the importance of maintaining multiple sources of capital to fund future growth.
“One of the keys to having long-term impact on the shopping center business is you've got to have access to capital,” he said.
In addition to a strong balance sheet, Phillips Edison uses joint ventures, property sales, and free cash flow to fund acquisitions, giving the company flexibility to pursue both grocery-anchored shopping centers and its expanding everyday retail strategy.