Do you agree that retail rents are due for a “permanent” drop in the near future? What do you think retailers are most likely to do with the newfound money that will come with lower rents — remodel stores, open new locations, drop it to the bottom line, etc.?
Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments:
I guess it is better to have yet another Starbucks than an empty retail space for the good of the overall neighborhood. In NYC however, landlords seem to be hellbent on not lowering the rent and would rather keep a space empty for five years than give in. It seems like there is certainly a market for pop-up stores especially for brands that may not normally have their own retail space to stay close to the consumer and shopper.