Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap
Santa Monica's entertainment zone could expand throughout Downtown and into neighboring streets
Santa Monica officials are considering expanding the downtown Entertainment Zone, where patrons can carry alcoholic drinks while walking outdoors. The zone could grow from its current three-block area to encompass much of downtown after showing no increase in crime...
Interest Rates Outlook Remains Steady for CRE Buyers

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady, sparking speculation about sharp drops once Kevin Warsh becomes Fed chair, reports the Commercial Observer. In commercial real estate (CRE), many wonder if a new Fed approach could bring back ultra-low rates and boost property values.
However, CRE depends more on the 10-Year US Treasury than short-term Fed actions. Inflation, fiscal policy, global capital flows, and risk premiums shape long-term Treasury yields. These factors go beyond Fed leadership and hold greater influence over market trends...
Cinema Industry Revival Spurs Premium Experience Growth
According to Bisnow, the US cinema industry is rebounding after years of decline. Rising demand for premium large format screens and luxury dine-in theaters is driving this recovery. Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film Odyssey has fueled early interest. Imax 70mm tickets sold out months in advance and now resell for high prices.
Although US movie screens declined 12% since 2020, the industry added locations in 2025. Screen count rose 2%, marking the first net growth in five years. Analysts credit this shift to a consumer focus on immersive, event-style viewing over standard multiplexes...
Retail Rebound Drives Selective Conviction in Shopping Centers
Principal Asset Management reports that retail real estate is experiencing a targeted resurgence, with institutional investors focusing on open-air shopping centers that meet strict quality standards. While the sector as a whole benefits from rising tenant demand and renewed importance of physical stores, only a small portion—roughly 6–10%—of available space meets the criteria for core, institutional investment...
Store Expansion News: January update
Retailers and restaurant chains alike kicked off 2026 by making headlines in January with store expansions and new formats.
Here are the major stories as reported by Chain Store Age, starting with the most recent.
- Starbucks to open 150 to 175 U.S. stores in 2026; sees 'big' long-term opportunity The coffee giant expects to open approximately 600 to 650 net new cafes this year, including 150 to 175 U.S. company-operated stores and 450 to 500 international locations. China, Starbucks’ largest market outside of the U.S., comprises close to half of the international total...
Americans spend big on ‘retail therapy;’ here’s on what and where...
The practice of “retail therapy” is alive and well, with Americans spending thousands a year to boost their mood.
The average American makes 107 retail therapy purchases per year, according to a new survey from CashNet USA, which defines retail therapy as the act of “shopping to relieve feelings like stress, boredom or frustration. Millennials (aged 29-44) make the most (160) amount of retail therapy purchases per year, with baby boomers making the least (39) amount...
Outdoor apparel retailer Eddie Bauer starts closing down its stores
Another chain has joined the list of retailers shutting stores this year as outdoor apparel seller Eddie Bauer has begun holding liquidation sales throughout its brick-and-mortar locations.

The Bellevue, Washington-based retailer, with roughly 180 locations in the United States and Canada, has kicked off store-closing sales across the nation. Catalyst Brands, which operates the Eddie Bauer stores, is preparing to file for Chapter 11 for the chain, as first reported in early January by Octus and later by WWD...
Here are the grocers that could take over Amazon Fresh’s soon-to-close space
When a retail chain closes scores of stores across the United States, commercial real estate professionals at one time used to worry about filling that vacant space quickly. But now they say there’s no lack of expanding supermarket chains that could occupy the roughly five dozen Amazon Fresh grocery stores the e-commerce giant is closing, though there is a twist involved...
Retail Giant Walmart Hits $1 Trillion Milestone
Walmart reached a major milestone this week, topping a $1 trillion market capitalization for the first time. Chain Storage reports that the company’s stock has risen over 24% in the past year, supported by strong digital business growth and expanding market share. John Furner recently took over as CEO, marking a leadership transition as the retailer continues its upward trajectory...
