ChainLinks National Retail Report; Retailer Demand Up, But Economy and Retail Real Estate Market at Crossroads

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ChainLinks Retail Advisors is proud to announce the release of the Summer 2011 National Retail Report. “With all of the volatility and bad economic news of the past few weeks, it may come as a surprise to many, but retailer demand and deal activity has actually been up substantially,” reports ChainLinks Research Director, Garrick Brown. “That being said, the market is clearly at a crossroads thanks to the crisis of confidence that has developed over the first half of August.”

“Not one of the more than 50 major U.S. markets that we surveyed reported decreased demand levels over the past year.”

“Retailer demand for commercial real estate is up across the board in nearly every market that we track,” said Brown. “Not one of the more than 50 major U.S. markets that we surveyed reported decreased demand levels over the past year.” The ChainLinks National Retailer Demand Index currently places retailer demand at seven, indicating levels of retailer demand that are slightly above average. This compares last year with a reading of four, which reflected levels of demand that were slightly below average.

“With this issue we have launched two new metrics unlike anything else done in the industry that will be of immense interest to retailers, landlords, investors and analysts alike in benchmarking and gauging market health,” said Matt Kircher, President of ChainLinks Retail Advisors. “Our Retailer Demand and Market Equilibrium Indexes survey over 600 retail real estate specialists across more than 50 major U.S. markets and asked them to rate these on a scale of one to ten. It will give market watchers a broker’s eye view of what is happening in the streets and who has the upper hand.”

The ChainLinks Market Equilibrium National Index stands at three, indicating that leasing conditions currently favor tenants. This number stood at two exactly one year ago, reflecting a marketplace where conditions heavily favored tenants. Increased demand and leasing activity over the past year have helped to strengthen the positions of landlords, but we remain a long way from market equilibrium. Tenants are still in the driver’s seat, though their position is no longer as strong as it was.

The full report can be downloaded at:

http://www.terranomics.com/nationalreport/

In addition to the latest ChainLinks Retailer Demand and Market Equilibrium Indexes, this report includes a review of current trends and detailed market statistics (including retail vacancy levels, average asking lease rates and absorption trends) for more than 50 major U.S. markets.

About ChainLinks

Founded in 1979, ChainLinks is the leading retail real estate advisory services organization in North America serving America's premier retailers, landlords, and investors. We are comprised of privately-owned, entrepreneurial companies in 60+ cities, and 800+ handpicked retail broker specialists.