Malls are evolving—and it’s not just about department stores anymore. While Macy’s and JCPenney still draw shoppers, new anchor tenants like Barnes & Noble, fitness centers, and popular food spots are stealing the spotlight. Once thought to be fading, Barnes & Noble has made a comeback by creating smaller, community-focused stores that now outperform traditional anchors at some locations. Food-and-beverage giants like Porto’s Bakery and In-N-Out Burger are also becoming top traffic drivers, outpacing big-box stores. Even gyms, once avoided by malls, are now key players in boosting foot traffic, especially in early hours, reshaping the mall experience from dawn to dusk.

Macy’s delivered a better-than-expected Q1, with solid performance from Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury offsetting declines at its namesake stores due to closures and tariff pressures. While net income dropped nearly 39%, credit card and media revenues helped cushion the blow. CEO Tony Spring remains cautiously optimistic, navigating tariffs and shifting consumer behavior with tight inventory control and vendor negotiations. Though its “Reimagine” store concept has yet to show strong results, Macy’s sees room to grow market share by staying flexible, pricing smartly, and continuing to refine its reinvention strategy—one careful step at a time.

Dick’s Sporting Goods just posted its fifth straight quarter of strong sales growth—up 5.2% to nearly $3.2 billion—despite a dip in profits and looming tariff concerns. While analysts pressed the company on its bold move to acquire Foot Locker, Dick’s leadership doubled down, calling it a long-term play to expand market share, strengthen brand partnerships, and gain access to urban customers. CEO Lauren Hobart and Executive Chairman Ed Stack emphasized that the merger is about building for the future—not just chasing short-term gains. With only 8% of the sportswear market, Dick’s sees massive growth potential, and it's betting big to stay ahead of rivals like JD Sports.

McDonald’s is shutting down all locations of its CosMc’s beverage-focused spinoff, less than a year after launching the concept. Named after a nostalgic alien mascot from the '80s, CosMc’s served as a testing ground for bold drink flavors and new tech—but now it's wrapping up as McDonald’s shifts focus. The fast-food giant says it’s taking what it learned and rolling those insights into upcoming drink offerings at its main U.S. locations. While the standalone CosMc’s experiment ends, its influence may soon show up at your local McDonald’s.

Consumers are still unsure about how tariffs will hit their wallets, but until price hikes show up on store shelves, their attention is fixed on persistent inflation. Retailers and manufacturers must prepare now, focusing on price sensitivity, especially since shoppers typically tolerate up to 12% increases without much resistance. Some brands are already using “no tariff pricing” to stand out, while others are pulling forward inventory or delaying seasonal goods to ride out uncertainty. Retailers with stronger inventory positions will have the edge, especially as families prioritize essentials like kids' items. Strategic scenario planning, supply chain agility, and close collaboration with suppliers and brokers will be key to weathering the storm—and possibly gaining market share.

Retail isn't just about selling products; it's about creating irresistible spaces that draw in both customers and top talent! Just like physical workplaces are evolving to become desirable destinations, retail has already mastered the art of transforming mere "space" into a "place" people want to be. After facing down the "retail apocalypse" years ago, the industry has seen five straight quarters of the lowest retail availability in history, proving its magnetic power. Now, the focus is on leveraging this expertise to attract and retain employees, recognizing that a great store experience for customers goes hand-in-hand with an engaging workplace for staff.

Retail real estate is making a comeback—but not in the way it used to. After decades of underbuilding despite booming population growth, rising demand and low vacancy rates are driving a renewed wave of development. Big-name retailers like Walmart, Target, TJX, and Chipotle are fueling this momentum, seeking new spaces and creative site solutions, especially those with existing drive-thrus and high-traffic visibility.

Construction costs are high, but strong sales are justifying premium rents, and investors are finally taking notice. Once overlooked, retail is now seen as a durable asset in a shifting real estate market. As consumer habits and communities evolve, so too does retail—proving once again that well-located, thoughtfully developed retail never goes out of style.