In our latest Retail Real Estate Outlook, discover how retailers are adapting to a market where vacancy rates are at historic lows, while store closures continue to outpace openings. Learn which markets are emerging as retail hotspots and what strategies leading brands are using to optimize their real estate portfolios.
Retailers and restaurants are navigating this landscape by adapting to changing consumer preferences, rising costs, and market uncertainty. This report examines the current state of the retail real estate market, key retail trends shaping strategies,
and the critical challenges that lie ahead for 2025. With store closures outpacing openings at a growing rate, the
importance of leveraging data and analytics has never been greater. Decision-makers must use these tools to navigate rising construction costs, interest rates, limited new developments, and evolving consumer demands. Our insights aim to help stakeholders navigate this dynamic retail environment and develop strategies that position their businesses for long-term success.
In this report, you’ll learn:
- —How closures, vacancy rates, economic conditions, and supply constraints are reshaping the retail landscape
- —What’s behind California markets’ surge in our rankings, with four metros seeing 70%+ growth in site selection activity
- —Which innovative retail strategies – from SWAS partnerships to small formats – are driving real estate decisions
- —And much more!
Download your copy today to unlock the insights you need to guide your retail real estate decisions in 2025.
Click here to view the entire report: 1024-106-2025 Real Estate Outlook v3.pdf
About NRF
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com
BRA note: We are very pleased to mention that through our Partnership with the Action Sports Provider Network (ASPN), we can connect you directly to a commercial real estate advisor in your region who can help you by identifying additional or alternative locations and create leverage on your behalf when negotiating a lease renewal or new lease (or purchase) with no out of pocket costs to you. If you would like us to help you in that area, please email details of your existing situation and goals including lease expiration, current size, current location (and other areas that you are open to searching), expansion needs, and budget to me so we can identify the best possible commercial real estate advisor in your region and make the introduction. – Doug Works, BRA Executive Director
If you are not yet a BRA Retail Member, you can easily opt in to either Regular (no cost) or Distinguished ($100/yr.) Membership via this super simple join form