Retail Sector

The pandemic had a significant impact on demand for commercial real estate in the third quarter, resulting in rising vacancy rates and slowing or falling rents and property prices. The impact was uneven across property types, however, with greater effects on office and retail property markets, but smaller or little impact on multifamily and industrial properties.

E-commerce surged in the spring, but stores are reopening and curbside pickup is a popular hybrid of online shopping and bricks-and-mortar delivery. Many shoppers enjoy the retail experience and still prefer to check the size, fit, and appearance at a bricks & mortar store.

Challenges and opportunities for nascent and advanced ESG programs highlighted.

Office, data center, residential and retail REITs share individual lessons.

Panelists also say companies are in the early stages of developing DEI strategy.

Given that rent collections in the industrial, office, and healthcare sectors have stabilized at high levels, the August survey focuses on three property subsectors: apartments, free standing retail, and shopping center retail.