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Vacancies Rise at Retail Centers
Stores Being Closed,
Expansions Curbed;
Strength in Rentals
By KRIS HUDSON and NICK TIMIRAOS
July 7, 2008; Page A3
The faltering economy took a heavy toll on malls and shopping centers in the second quarter, but it didn't hurt the rental-apartment market as much as expected.
Vacancies at retail properties rose to multiyear highs in the second quarter as retailers closed stores and curtailed expansion plans. Meanwhile, apartment-complex vacancies remained unchanged and rents rose by a stronger-than-expected 1.1% in the quarter, according to real-estate research firm Reis Inc. in New York.
The higher retail vacancy rate stems from the slowdown in consumer spending and the weak housing market, among other economic pressures. Vacancies at enclosed malls in 76 major U.S. markets rose from 5.9% in the first quarter to 6.3% in the second quarter, the highest level since early 2002, according to Reis.
Faring worse were open-air retail venues such as big-box centers and grocery-anchored strip centers. Vacancy in those formats climbed from 7.7% to 8.2% in the second quarter, the highest tally since 1995. Open-air centers tend to lose more tenants in a bad economy because they cater more to local, mom-and-pop shops. Malls, on the other hand, house more national retailers that tend to be more stable financially.
Regardless, all retail formats have lost at least some momentum. The International Council of Shopping Centers predicts 6,500 stores will close this year, the most since 2001. A slew of national retailers including Kohl's Corp., Chico's FAS Inc. and Starbucks Corp. have reined in their growth plans. Particularly draining to the confidence of retail landlords last quarter were the financial struggles of rapidly growing discount retailer Steve & Barry's LLC, which had become a go-to candidate to fill vacant anchor stores.
In the apartment market, the "shadow market" of unsold homes offered for rent continues to keep renters out of apartments. Otherwise it is a strong market for landlords. They continue to benefit from the housing slowdown that has created more renters and led existing renters to defer homeownership given the tightened mortgage market.