IRVINE, CA—Labor shortages and rising construction costs aresome of the concerns panelists at RealShare Orange County here last week have as wemove further into the recovery. The after-effects of the recessionare being felt across the region as the market revs up again.

“Local Leaders Power Panel” moderatorKurt Strasmann, senior managing director ofCBRE, said 6% of all retail salesare conducted via the Internet, a number which isexpected to grow to 30% by the year 2030. PeterRooney, president, commercial development division,Sares-Regis Group, saidAmazon.com is the biggest player in the world, ande-commerce is changing the way retail is happening. Whilebricks-and-mortars are shrinking their footprints, retailers areadding on to their distribution centers to accommodatee-commerce.

While larger distribution centers are locatedin the Inland Empire, Orange County tends to be more of an infillmarket, Rooney said. Lesser-known names are occupying buildings of10,000 square feet that have a newer office component of up to30%.