Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap
CPI surged in April as inflation soars to highest level in almost 3 years
Inflation accelerated in April to an annual rate of 3.8%, the highest since May 2023, as the Iran war pushed up energy costs and raised prices across the economy.
By the numbers
Economists predicted inflation would jump to 3.7% on an annual basis, up from the 3.3% reading in March, according to a FactSet poll.
Fed Rate Policy Drifts From Taylor Rule Signals
The Federal Reserve’s latest rate stance is opening a wider debate across Wall Street over whether policymakers are drifting too far from traditional
monetary-policy benchmarks, reports Globe St. While markets overwhelmingly expect the Fed to keep rates unchanged through its next meeting, several economists and strategists argue current policy no longer aligns with the Taylor Rule, one of the most widely referenced frameworks for setting interest rates...
Inside the Early Phases of Black Rock’s 1,000-Store Growth Journey
While Black Rock Coffee Bar has had an
eventful run since going public last fall, the truth remains it’s a challenger brand in a tide of beverage growth. It closed Q1—its 13 consecutive positive same-store sales period at 5.2 percent (14.4 percent two-year stack)—with 190 locations after debuting nine across Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and Oregon. It’s planning 36 for the full calendar. Dutch Bros today touts about 1,120 stores and 7 Brew closed 2025 with 602 after adding a net of 281...
Nordstrom Rack expands 2027 planned openings with two CA sites — here's the list
Nordstrom Inc. is adding two new off-price stores to its 2027 lineup.
The department store retailer will open two new Nordstrom Rack stores in California next year, both located in the Los Angeles metro area. The new stores will be in Marina del Rey and Torrance. The locations join five other previously announced Nordstrom Rack 2027 openings. (See end of article for a list of the 2027 openings Nordstrom Rack has announced to date...)
Bob’s Discount Furniture Q1 sales up 8.5%; opening 20 stores in 2026
Bob’s Discount Furniture managed to overcome “industry headwinds” during the first quarter with revenue growth as it remains committed to national expansion.
The furniture retailer opened five new stores during the quarter, for a total of 214 stores in 26 states, and is on track to open approximately 20 locations for the full year. On the earnings call, Bob’s president and CEO Bill Barton said the company’s continues “to see a clear and actionable path to more than 500 stores by 2035...”
Aritzia focused on U.S. store expansion in 2026 — here’s where

On the heels of a strong fourth quarter and year, Aritzia Inc. is entering new markets as it expands its store footprint in the United States.
The Canadian fashion retailer plans to open 12 or 13 new stores in its current fiscal year (fiscal 2027), with the majority in the U.S. Aritzia, which currently operates 76 U.S. locations, sees the potential for approximately 180 to 200 stores here...
'Dirty soda' chain Swig to enter Colorado with 10-unit deal
A drive-thru customizable beverage chain that specializes in one of the country's hottest trends is expanding its footprint.
Utah-based Swig, which describes itself as "the home of original dirty soda," is expanding into Colorado, through a 10-unit franchise agreement to open locations across Colorado Springs, the state’s second-largest city. The first location is expected to open by the end of 2026, adding to Swig's nationwide franchise initiative. The chain currently operates more than 150 locations across 16 states...
Necessity-Based Retail Draws Investors Amid Tight Supply
Retail real estate is entering ICSC Las Vegas with a
different narrative than it carried just a few years ago, reports Globe St. Instead of focusing on pandemic-era distress, investors and operators are increasingly zeroing in on the sector’s stable cash flow, constrained supply, and improving access to capital...
Target to invest $5B in 130+ store remodels this year, and some will have expanded grocery
Target plans to increase store remodeling efforts this year as part of a broader investment in its retail operations, the company said.
The retailer said Monday it will invest about $5 billion this year in more than 130 store remodels, 30 new stores, technology updates and supply chain improvements. The company identified priority markets including Atlanta; Austin, Dallas and Houston, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Phoenix; Los Angeles; Miami; Minneapolis; New York City; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C...
