Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap
Americans are 'entrenched' in financial stress amid debt and price pressures
Economic conditions like gas prices well above $4 a gallon, according to AAA estimates, and annual inflation nearing 4%, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are pushing Americans’ financial stress levels higher.
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling expects Americans’ economic stress levels to tick back up in the second quarter of the year after a slight fall in the first quarter, according to its quarterly Financial Stress Forecast released on Wednesday...
Target Q1 tops estimates with strongest sales gains in four years
Target Corp. came out of the gate swinging in its first quarte, with better-than-expected sales in all six of its core merchandising categories as its turnaround efforts to attract shoppers under new CEO Michael Fiddelke gain momentum.
The discounter reported that its total comparable sales rose 5.6%, the chain’s biggest quarterly increase since early 2022. Customer traffic rose 4.4% compared to the year-ago quarter...
Treasury yields tick lower as investors stay optimistic on Iran peace deal prospects despite U.S. strikes
Treasury yields inched lower on Wednesday as investor optimism over a potential settlement to the war in Iran was undented by pressure on the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note — the key benchmark for U.S. government borrowing — fell 1 basis point to 4.481%...
Urban Outfitters notches record quarter; to open 54 stores this year
Urban Outfitters Inc. reported record first-quarter earnings and sales, with increases across all its divisions.
The apparel retailer’s earnings and revenue topped expectations, with especially strong performances from its wholesale and subscription segments, and its FP Group business, which is made up of Free People and activewear brandFP Movement...
Abercrombie & Fitch sales hit record despite headwinds; to open 50 stores
The war in the Middle East weighed on Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s first-quarter results, but its earnings still topped analyst expectations and its sales hit a new quarterly record.
The apparel retailer gave weaker-than-expected guidance for the current quarter, and said the conflict in the Middle East has “directly impacted” sales. In the earnings statement, CEO Fran Horowitz said that demand softened in Abercrombie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa region (EMEA) as the Middle East conflict ramped up, particularly impacting Hollister Brands, “and we are proactively managing inventory and marketing to support the region...”
Ross Stores sales surge 21%; to open about 110 new stores in 2026
Ross Stores reported first-quarter earnings and sales that “significantly” exceeded guidance as it cited broad-based strength across its business.
The off-price retailer is not slowing down in its expansion. During the first quarter, it expanded into new and existing markets, opening 13 Ross stores and four DD's Discount locations. For the full year, the retailer plans to open approximately 110 new Ross stores and 25 DD's Discounts, CEO James Conroy said during the company's earnings call...
Restaurant chains try to support franchisees as costs soar, sales slow
Major restaurant chains are taking steps to ensure the long-term viability of regional franchise networks that often account for most of their location expansion but are now being hit especially hard by rising costs and reduced consumer spending.
In recent quarterly earnings calls, executives of some U.S. dining chains discussed measures that include helping franchisees with remodeling and format changes and allowing franchisees to exit operating agreements ahead of contract expirations. This has allowed some chains to take back locations that were formerly franchised, and in some cases reassign stores to better capitalized franchisees...
Dick’s Sporting Goods sales top estimates; Foot Locker returns to growth
Dick’s Sporting Goods reported strong first-quarter revenue that topped estimates as its Dick's business continued to gain momentum and its Foot Locker business showed signs of turnaround.
The sporting goods giant's namesake business saw broad-based strength across its entire portfolio. Meanwhile, Foot Locker, which Dick’s
acquired in September 2025, posted its first comparable sales gain since the fourth quarter of 2024, with growth of 0.6%. At Foot Locker U.S., comparable sales grew 6.4%...
Whataburger Revives Iconic A-Frame in New Restaurant Prototype
Whataburger has two new restaurant prototypes, and it has customers to thank.
Chief development officer Todd Ewen says design development started with listening. Guests told the company that they missed some elements that made “Whataburger feel like a Whataburger,” and he admits the 76-year-old company moved away from that across its recent iterations.
Billy Bias, director of design, notes that Whataburger used the A-frame from the beginning of its history until the mid-2000s. Now it’s coming back...
Retail REITs Ride A Scarcity Boom At ICSC 2026
Retail real estate entered ICSC 2026 with a noticeably different tone than prior years: optimism has replaced skepticism, and scarcity has replaced oversupply concerns. According to a May 21 BofA Securities report, conference attendance rose roughly 15% to 20% year over year as brokers, landlords, tenants, and investors crowded Las Vegas looking for deals and space.
Instead of debating whether brick-and-mortar retail can survive e-commerce pressure, industry players spent the conference discussing how hard it has become to secure quality retail space and investment opportunities. BofA analysts summarized the shift bluntly: “Retail’s new problem is not demand, it’s availability...”
