GlobeSt.com is providing wall-to-wall coverage of ICSC'sRECon show in Las Vegas May 19-22. Subscribe to the Retail Ticket forpre-event articles, live video interviews on site andpost-conference analysis.

“At neighborhood strip malls and power centers, big box brandsthat are shuttering and leaving behind empty storefronts areresulting in a reverse in how owners and developers approachfilling space at those centers.” That is according to Chuck Taylor,director of operations for Lemont, IL-based Englewood Construction.In the past, he tells GlobeSt.com, the big box space would befilled first, with a well-known brand as anchor tenant attractingsmaller brands and leading to build-out of additional sites on theproperty. But now, he says with many of those primary storefrontssitting vacant after brands fold, “owners and developers are stilltapping us to move ahead with construction of two- or four-unitretail strips and single-use pad sites in the outlots of thesecenters. They're using this as a creative way to continuegenerating revenue and driving traffic as they find something newto fill the vacant anchor space.”

If you are one of the many looking for creative ways to useretail space, you aren't alone and are likely headed to thecolossal RECon convention May 19-22 in Las Vegas.  “Forthe retail real estate industry, this is our Super Bowl,” So saidprincipal Jason Baker, who leads the representation team atHouston-based Baker Katz when talking about the upcoming ICSC REConshow in Las Vegas. He tells GlobeSt.com that there is positiveenergy leading up to the show with discussion around emerging andexpanding retailers, and we expect that conversation continuethroughout the conference.