Middle Market Digest-The Midwest

CHICAGO—The International Conference of Shopping Centers will hold its Chicago Deal Making conference next week, starting Wednesday, at Navy Pier. The two-day event could prove to be a busy one. Several brokers tell GlobeSt.com that they have a lot of listings coming out, and this could help the Chicago region enjoy a solid year for retail investments.

And the type of properties that garner attention could shift a bit. Many investors have understandably been focused for some time on properties in the urban core, but meanwhile, some solid potential deals have been developing in the suburbs. The recent shuttering of the region’s Dominick’s stores may have dealt a temporary blow to many grocery-anchored centers, but other retailers like Mariano’s and Whole Foods have filled up those spaces and boosted the value of these properties.