Features

A perpetual dearth of affordable retail space within Boston proper has more users targeting secondary and tertiary markets as they look to penetrate the greater New England region. Ask a local retail broker or landlord to name tenants that are currently expanding aggressively in the greater Boston area and throughout New England as a whole, and odds are that “Ross Dress for Less” will come up within the first minute.  Of course, the California-based discount retailer has been crushing it for some time now. Ross announced in mid-March that it …

Bubbakoo’s Burritos has planned a strategic expansion that targets suburban centers. In a retail landscape increasingly defined by adaptability, Bubbakoo’s Burritos is carving out a distinctive growth story — one that blends flavor with disciplined site selection. What began as a regional fast-casual concept has steadily evolved into a brand with national ambitions, targeting suburban retail corridors and neighborhood centers.  As landlords look to activate spaces with tenants that drive repeat visits and longer dwell times, Bubbakoo’s expansion underscores a broader shift: dining concepts are no longer just traffic generators — they …

Retail design has evolved beyond the conveyance of goods and into the realm of community amenity. With more food and beverage, outdoor spaces and entertainment, retail centers are being viewed by many consumers and communities more as a place to spend time than purchase goods. While goods and services may still be at the forefront of their function, many developers have taken their cues from resorts and parks to understand how to give consumers an experience worth paying for.  “Retail developers increasingly recognize that consumers are seeking experiences that encourage …

In a market shaped by limited new supply, retailers are expanding strategically, backfilling spaces quickly and adapting to consumer preferences. Today, there’s a multitude of factors shaping the retail leasing market. Smaller footprints, the influence of technology, changing lifestyles of younger generations, limited new supply and backfilling closures are just some of the most prominent storylines.  As of the first quarter, the national retail vacancy rate held stable at 4.4 percent, up 10 basis points from the prior quarter, according to Colliers, which covers malls, shopping centers and general retail …