Features

With placemaking, flexibility and the ever-changing needs of retailers and consumers in mind, retail architects are more creative than ever when it comes to built environments. Retail spaces have changed dramatically over the past decade. Enclosed environments, once leading the trend in the industry, have been traded for open-air environments. Many properties that were once solely occupied by retail tenants now have multiple uses, including entertainment, office, multifamily and hotel. In a time when it’s tough to develop, smaller, convenience-oriented projects are dominant, with the redevelopment of regional properties a …

All types of purchasers, from private capital to institutional groups, want to take advantage of the property sector’s strong fundamentals. In JLL’s second-quarter “Retail Market Dynamics” report, “resilience” was the word used to describe the national retail investment landscape in the first half of 2025.  Transaction volume reached $28.5 billion, a 23 percent increase over the same period a year ago. The figure also outpaces the long-term historical average of $27.7 billion for the first two quarters of the year, according to the brokerage firm. The scope of data includes …

Atlanta’s next retail boom is being driven by Millennial demand. Developers and investors are witnessing a trend that Atlanta retail activity is quickly expanding to its outer suburbs, fueling a new chapter of growth for the market.  “There’s a lot of momentum and growth happening, not just in the city of Atlanta, but when you really start looking at the MSA as a whole,” says Michael Berk, vice president of SRS Real Estate Partners. “The thing about Georgia and Atlanta is there’s no natural boundary that will inhibit growth.” Berk …

Florida’s retail sector continues to thrive due to sustained economic success, with traditional developments filling the gaps around the state. When asked what makes Florida appealing from a retail perspective, Steven Miskew, CEO of Southeast Centers, put it succinctly: “The good macro-economic drivers are here: population growth, lack of supply and low vacancy, all in a pro-business environment.” As Miskew asserts, Florida’s population continues to swell as approximately 1,755 people move into the state daily, according to 2023 data from online self-storage platform StorageCafe. Additionally, U-Haul has ranked Florida as …

Retail-to-restaurant conversions have proven to be a profitable real estate strategy for Golden Corral. The rising costs of new development present an opportunity for retail and restaurant brands to rethink their expansion strategies. One of the most effective ways to fuel growth while mitigating high development costs is by repurposing second-generation spaces — previously occupied retail locations — into thriving restaurant concepts. Golden Corral is leading the charge, targeting these spaces as prime opportunities for conversion and rapid expansion. Why Second-Generation Retail Spaces Work for Restaurants The retail sector is …

How QSRs are powering the rise of hyper-local retail real estate. The quick service restaurant (QSR) industry is reshaping retail real estate by capitalizing on the “15-minute city” trend — a movement where people can access essentials within a short walk, bike ride, or delivery window from home. This shift, fueled by evolving consumer behavior, urban densification, and the rise of digital ordering, is pushing QSRs to prioritize hyper-local presence over traditional highway or regional hubs. The result is a transformation in both real estate development and the metrics that …

Bojangles takes a look at location design and its impact on operations, franchisee success and guest experience. Restaurant design plays a critical role in the success of any QSR brand. From streamlining operations and supporting menu execution to shaping the guest journey, every design decision has a direct impact on restaurant performance. At Bojangles, our approach to location design evolves as we continue to grow as a brand. And, with nearly five decades of experience behind us, evolving with changing consumer, operations, menu, financial and technology trends is something Bojangles …

How healthcare-adjacent retail development is prescriptive for community-centered design. In today’s evolving retail landscape, one of the most promising — and often overlooked — opportunities lies in the land surrounding our nation’s hospitals and medical centers. As healthcare systems continue to expand and consolidate, savvy development executives recognize the immense potential of strategically positioning retail properties in locations that are adjacent to major medical facilities. Doing so combines consistent foot traffic, demographic advantages and an urgent need for community-focused amenities. This was the scenario that RDC’s placemaking design team faced …