Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap

Marc Perlof • April 3, 2026
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'Mild stagflation': Bank of America rips up economic forecasts, braces for $100 oil all year on Iran war disruptions

Bank of America analysts are projecting slower growth, higher inflation, and $100 per barrel oil all year as a result of the Iran war — even if it ends within weeks.

"The war dividend so far: mild stagflation," BofA economist Claudio Irigoyen and his team wrote in a note on Wednesday, referring to the economic phenomenon of higher inflation coupled with slower growth...

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CRE Sentiment Gap Signals a Resilient Market

Sentiment vs. Reality: A Growing Gap


According to Virtus Real Estate Capital, commercial real estate sentiment remains cautious despite improving fundamentals. However, the underlying data points to a strengthening recovery across the US CRE market.


Real GDP grew 2.2% in 2025, while inflation cooled to 2.4%. At the same time, unemployment held near historic lows, reinforcing economic stability. Together, these factors continue to support demand and performance across commercial real estate...

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Why Franchisee Yogesh Patel Believes Currito is the Next Big Growth Brand

Franchisee Yogesh Patel’s journey with Currito began when he decided to try the concept for lunch one day around two-and-a-half years ago. The chain was—and still is—a small, emerging health-focused chain, which aligns with Patel’s lifestyle. 


“I went and tried. When I walked in, I loved the atmosphere, the cleanliness, and then the fresh food, obviously,” Patel says. “When I tasted the food, I loved how it tasted and everything. Obviously me being vegetarian, I had a lot of options.”


Patel’s next venture is opening five new Currito locations, on top of the three he already has in Illinois...

The American flag waves against a bright blue sky between towering glass skyscrapers, viewed from a low angle.

Aldi makes debut in 40th state

Aldi has officially staked its claim in the state of Maine.


The discount grocer opened its first store in Portland on Thursday, making Maine the 40th state with an Aldi store. The store is located at 1100 Brighton Ave. and will be open every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.


The opening is one of 180 Aldi expects to celebrate in 2026, which would move the Batavia, Ill.-based grocer to almost 2,800 locations. Aldi wants to have 3,200 stores by the end of 2028. The expansion also includes entering Colorado for the first time and continued growth in the Western and Southeastern markets and the construction of three new distribution centers...

A flat, single-story retail building with a

Santa Monica Investing Millions to Bring Back Shoppers

An average home in Santa Monica today sells for about $1.7 million – and double that north of Montana Avenue. Yet, the city’s prime shopping destination along Third Street is suffering high vacancy rates, with long stretches of the famed Promenade sitting empty.



Of course, a national shift to online shopping has caused changes in the retail landscape nationwide, and movie theaters are struggling as viewers watch movies at home. Then the robots came for food delivery, and apparently, that translates into substantial numbers of people never leaving the house...

The main entrance of the NuHAA building, featuring a modern glass and stone facade, at sunset.

CVS plans 20 pharmacy-only stores in shift toward expansion

CVS Health Corp. said it plans to open “nearly 20” pharmacy-only locations in 2026 after the second such outlet opened this week in Chicago.

The openings are among the 60-plus new stores that CVS has planned for this year, as the company said it has optimized its footprint following nearly 1,000 store closures during the last three years...

A modern two-story commercial office building with a stone-accented entrance at dusk, seen from a paved parking lot.

Powell says Fed can 'wait and see' how war affects inflation


CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, March 30 (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday said the U.S. central ​bank can wait to see how the Iran war affects the economy and inflation, noting that policymakers typically look through shocks such as those from higher oil prices.

"We ‌feel like our policy's in a good place for us to wait and see how that turns out," Powell said during a question-and-answer session held as part of a macroeconomics class at Harvard University...


A green Publix Food & Pharmacy sign mounted on a white and beige building exterior against a blue sky.

Introducing the Fast Casual FutureMakers: Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks

Fast casual has always been a category defined by evolution.


Built on the promise of quality, speed, and accessibility, it continues to adapt as operators face new pressures.


The Fast Casual FutureMakers is a new annual report from QSR magazine designed to spotlight brands and founders building what comes next. In its inaugural year, the report recognizes leaders who are driving meaningful progress across the category...

Two bundt cakes on small plates: one with chocolate drizzle, one with caramel drizzle, with cinnamon sticks nearby.

Footwear brand Allbirds to be acquired by American Exchange Group

Allbirds is getting a new owner.


The sustainable footwear brand, which launched online in 2014, is being acquired by American Exchange Group. According to the deal, American Exchange Group will acquire all of Allbirds’ intellectual property and other assets and liabilities for an estimated $39 million.


The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, and a distribution to stockholders of net proceeds -- as well as a winding-down of the public business -- will be complete in the third quarter of 2026...

Interior of a casual restaurant featuring blue chairs, red accents, brick walls, and a

Los Angeles posts major population losses

The most populous state in the nation has posted negative population growth once more, according to recently released estimates from the Census Bureau. Los Angeles, the state’s largest market, lost 62,454 people in 2025 on a net basis...

By Marc Perlof May 18, 2026
By Marc Perlof | MarcRetailGuy CA #01489206 May 18, 2026 If you own retail real estate, here’s what just changed for you. In some situations, removing the price can lead to stronger offers. This approach allows the market to determine value instead of limiting it upfront. When used correctly, it can create competition and improve your outcome. More retail properties are being marketed without a price. Brokers are using offer-driven strategies to let buyers compete based on their own assumptions. What is causing it? Differences in buyer expectations and uncertainty in valuation are driving this shift. In many cases, investors and developers value the same property differently, especially when there is upside or redevelopment potential. How does removing the price affect your value? Removing the price can eliminate the ceiling. Buyers are not anchored to a specific number, which can lead to stronger offers when demand is present. When multiple buyers are involved, this approach can create competition and push pricing higher. What is the risk? If demand is limited, offers may come in below expectations. This often happens when the buyer pool is thin or when the property has uncertainty, such as a short lease term, tenant risk, or redevelopment challenges. When should you use Request for Offers? Use it when there is strong demand and the property is expected to attract multiple buyers. Even in these situations, active buyers and brokers will often ask for pricing guidance or a whisper price to understand where the seller expects the deal to trade. When should you use a more flexible approach? Use submit offers when you want flexibility and are testing the market. This approach allows you to respond to buyer feedback while still maintaining control of the process. Some properties are marketed without a price because the broker does not have a clear view of value. That is not the same as a strategy. When used correctly, removing the price is intentional and supported by buyer demand, positioning, and a defined process. Without that structure, it can create confusion and weaker results. We are seeing strong assets generate multiple offers with this approach, while weaker deals struggle to gain traction without pricing guidance. This strategy is not about avoiding a price. It is about allowing the market to define it when the conditions support it. If you need context, review Part 2: “Should You List Your Retail Property With an Asking Price?” In next week’s final article, read “How Strategic Underpricing Can Increase Your Retail Property Sale Price” (Part 4) , including one approach many owners overlook. If you are considering an offer-driven strategy, reach out before going to market. I will help you determine if your property can support it and how to structure it properly. Call or DM me for more information. Would removing your price increase your value or create uncertainty? Based in Los Angeles. Serving Southern California. Active across California. Advising clients nationwide. #RetailRealEstate #CRE #InvestmentProperty #CommercialBroker #LosAngelesRealEstate #NNN #RetailInvesting #PropertySales
By Marc Perlof May 15, 2026
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.
By Marc Perlof May 11, 2026
By Marc Perlof | MarcRetailGuy CA #01489206 May 4, 2026 If you own retail real estate, here’s what just changed for you. Pricing your retail property is not about picking a number. It is about choosing the right strategy to drive buyer demand and maximize your final sale price. If you use the wrong approach, you limit your buyer pool and your outcome. Retail property pricing has become more strategic. Buyers are more selective and move quickly when deals are positioned correctly. Properties that are not positioned well are being ignored. What is causing it? Higher interest rates and rising operating costs have made buyers more disciplined. At the same time, demand still exists for well-located assets, especially in Southern California. This creates a gap. Strong deals get attention. Weakly positioned deals sit. How does pricing affect your property value? Pricing determines how many buyers engage. More buyers create competition. Competition drives stronger offers and higher pricing. If your property attracts only one buyer, that buyer controls the negotiation. If multiple buyers engage, you control the process. How are buyers responding today? Buyers are prioritizing deals that feel well positioned from the start. If pricing creates hesitation, they move on quickly. If pricing creates opportunity, they act. What should you do right now? Start by understanding that pricing is a strategy, not just a number. Different approaches create different outcomes depending on your asset and buyer pool. What should you focus on? Match your pricing approach to your property. A stabilized NNN asset, a strip center with upside, and a redevelopment site should not be brought to market the same way. Buyers are actively pursuing deals that feel correctly positioned and ignoring those that feel priced without strategy. There are several ways to bring a retail property to market, including an exact asking price, pricing guidance, request for offers, submit offers, and off-market sales. Each approach attracts a different buyer mindset and leads to a different outcome. In retail real estate and select commercial opportunities, including development sites, pricing strategy plays a direct role in the final outcome. Pricing controls demand. Demand controls price. In the next three weeks, I will break down how each pricing strategy works and when to use it. Start with “Should You List Your Retail Property With an Asking Price?” (Part 2) , where I explain when pricing helps and when it hurts your result. If you listed your property today, would your pricing strategy attract multiple buyers or just one? Call or DM me for more information. If pricing drives demand, are you using the right strategy for your property? Based in Los Angeles. Serving Southern California. Active across California. Advising clients nationwide. #RetailRealEstate #CommercialProperty #NNN #StripCenters #ShoppingCenters #CRE #LosAngelesRealEstate #InvestmentProperty #PropertyValue
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