Weekly Retail Real Estate News

Marc Perlof • October 6, 2023
Banks Pull Back on Commercial Real Estate Lending


The top 25 banks by assets hold 31% of all commercial real estate loans on bank balance sheets. But in 2016, the growth of commercial real estate loans at large banks began to slow. The combination of increased banking regulations in the wake of the Great Recession, the expansion of non-bank lenders, and further competition from regional banks all led to more tepid loan growth among the top players.


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Are Investors About to Win Big With Tractor


Supply's New Growth Plan?


Tractor Supply (TSCO 0.30%) is an interesting retailer. While it is geared toward farming, even selling baby chickens, it isn't exactly focused on full-time farmers. That's partly why it has been able to keep expanding its store base for many years, drawing in both hobby farmers and general consumers.

 

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Welcome to the Rise of Drive-Thru-Only

Restaurants


One modern marketing strategy tells companies to “meet customers where they are.” That could be amended in the limited-service restaurant industry to “meet customers where they drive.” As the percentage of customers using drive-thru lanes at quick-service and fast-casual restaurants has grown, an increasing number of dining brands of all sizes have considered—and gone forward with—launching drive-thru-centric units, many with pickup options.


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Rite Aid gets listing warning from NYSE


Shares of Rite Aid Corp. fell 2% after hours on Wednesday after the drugstore chain said the New York Stock Exchange notified the company that it is “no longer in compliance” with the exchange’s minimum pricing and valuation standards, following a steep drop for the stock so far this year. The company said that it received the notice on Sept. 28, after its average market value over a 30 trading-day period slipped below $50 million, and after its average closing share price over that period fell below $1.


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For Burger King, a Reset, then a Revival


In reality, Patrick Doyle’s influence on Burger King began well before his arrival as executive chair last November. It started in mid-May 2021 when Tom Curtis joined after 35 years at Domino’s. Curtis, who started as a store manager, became a franchisee, and eventually served as EVP of corporate operations and U.S. operations and support, had a clear view of Doyle’s blueprint at the pizza giant.

 

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Toys R Us Sets National Roll-Out of Stores,


Expansion Into Airports, Cruise Ships


Reborn Toys R Us plans to launch a fleet of stores next year across the country, as well as opening retail locations at airports and on cruise ships. The company's parent, New York-based WHP Global, on Friday said it plans to relaunch the brand by rolling out flagship stores nationally starting early next year in partnership with Go! Retail Group, which is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

 

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US Retail Market Thwarted by Its Own Success


Retail tenants across the U.S. leased just under 59 million square feet during the second quarter, the lowest amount of total space signed in a quarter in over two years. And while the total amount of space leased is expected to rise as more leases that were signed near the end of the quarter are fully captured, leasing has certainly downshifted across retail property in the past few quarters.

 

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Gelson’s to debut new store format — at EV

charging stations

The specialty grocer, which operates 27 stores throughout Southern California, is partnering with electric vehicle-charging station developer Rove to provide food and beverage services at its new charging stations. Rove plans to build six locations in Southern California beginning this year, with 20 stations planned by 2026.

 

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Controversy surrounds Covered 6 contract cancellation

Following Thursday night’s shock announcement that private security company Covered 6 has withdrawn from its contract to patrol the Downtown and Promenade districts, City officials and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) board members reacted with shock and bewilderment.

 

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If You Need 100 Car Chargers Right Now, You’re Already Behind The EV Revolution

Krispy Kreme executives in February said Insomnia Cookies, a brand it acquired in 2018, had room for more than 4,000 locations. It just appears that result will be driven by somebody else. The company on Tuesday shared it’s exploring strategic alternatives for the dessert brand, including a potential all-cash sale.

 

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Restaurants, Movie Theaters Expected To See Uptick This Holiday Season


Restaurants and other retail venues such as movie theaters have reason to celebrate this holiday season: Americans say they intend to boost their spending on experiences in the festive period rather than just buying gifts.

 

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Fast-Food Wage Bill into Law


California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law (AB 1228) Thursday that will raise the state's minimum wage to $20 for fast-food workers starting in April. The move comes a little more than two weeks after foodservice representatives and labor groups reached a compromise to kill the Fast Act, which was scheduled to go on the 2024 ballot as a referendum. Signed into law by Newsom last year.

 

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By Marc Perlof September 12, 2025
Cherished Malibu Seafood Shack The Reel Inn May Rebuild After State Reversal  Malibu’s one-of-a-kind seafood spot, The Reel Inn, may once again serve its signature fish puns and fried and grilled platters on Pacific Coast Highway after the state reversed its earlier position that blocked the restaurant’s return, according to Eater LA...
By Marc Perlof September 8, 2025
Hey, Retail Real Estate Rockstars! The Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1) has completely changed the rules for State and Local Taxes (SALT), which is great news for any property owner who has ever cringed when they see their tax bill. For those of you investing in retail real estate, this is the kind of victory that calls for a double espresso and a fresh pro forma. We're talking about actual tax relief in 2025. Let's dissect it. What Just Happened? The SALT deduction cap, once stuck at $10,000 per household, has officially increased to $40,000 for joint filers and $20,000 for single filers — but only between 2025 and 2029. After that, it’s back to the old cap unless Congress re-ups¹. Important Clarification for Property Owners While the IRS frames the new SALT cap in terms of individual filers ($20,000 single / $40,000 joint), the impact depends on how your retail property is owned: LLCs, Partnerships, and S-Corporations (Pass-Throughs): Income, expenses, and property taxes flow through to the owners’ personal returns. The higher SALT cap allows greater deductions here, boosting post-tax cash flow for the individual owners. Trusts & Estates: Similar pass-through treatment, meaning beneficiaries or trustees may capture the benefit depending on structure. C-Corporations: The SALT cap generally doesn’t apply, since corporate taxes are calculated differently and deductions follow corporate rules. REITs (Public or Private): REITs have their own tax regime, but shareholders who receive pass-through income may benefit at the individual level. Direct Individual Ownership: If you hold the property in your own name, property taxes fall directly under the SALT deduction rules. If you live in a high-tax state like California, New York, or New Jersey, this means you can deduct a lot more of your state income, property, and local sales taxes on your federal returns. Why Retail Property Owners Should Care More Deductible Property Taxes You can lower your taxable income on your federal return by deducting a larger portion of your high property taxes on retail assets. Boosts Post-Tax Cash Flow Increased deductions = less tax paid = more cash in your pocket. Offsets Reassessment or NNN CAM Spikes With inflation and property tax reassessments squeezing margins, this SALT cap increase gives you some room to breathe¹. Attractive to High-Income Buyers New investors seeking tax efficiency may find your retail property more alluring if you offer larger deductions. Strategic Planning Window: 2025–2029 These changes expire after 2029, so use this window wisely — structure sales, 1031 exchanges, or renovations when you can best leverage the deduction bump¹. Real Data, Real Impact The original SALT cap from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was projected to cost Californians alone over $12 billion in lost deductions annually². Nearly 30% of households in high-cost areas maxed out the previous SALT deduction limit². What About NNN Leases? Here’s the twist: if your property is on a triple-net (NNN) lease, your tenants — not you — pay the property taxes. For Landlords: The SALT cap change doesn’t directly benefit you, since you aren’t the one writing the property tax check. For Tenants: They may be able to deduct more of those property taxes on their federal returns, depending on how their business or personal tax filings are structured¹. Smart Move: Share this info with your tenants. Suggested Subject Line for Tenant Email: “You May Benefit from New Tax Deduction Rules (H.R. 1)” A simple note saying, “The new federal tax law (H.R. 1) increased the SALT deduction cap for 2025–2029. Since you pay property taxes under your NNN lease, this may be relevant for your tax planning. Please confirm with your CPA.” That small gesture positions you as knowledgeable, supportive, and proactive — which builds goodwill and strengthens tenant relationships. If you’re considering a sale, refinance, or exchange between now and 2029, let’s talk strategy while this deduction window is wide open #RetailRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #TaxStrategy #SALTdeduction #PropertyOwners
By Marc Perlof September 5, 2025
The Iconic Reel Inn Malibu To Say Goodbye After 36 Years Plans to resurrect The Reel Inn Malibu after the Palisades Fire have been shelved following a decision by the California Department of Parks and Recreation not to renew the restaurant’s lease, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The move effectively closes a 36-year chapter for the 144-seat seafood shack on Pacific Coast Highway, long recognizable for surfboards on the walls, clever signage, chalkboard menus, and the relaxed Malibu customers...
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