LAS VEGAS—The retail landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with changing consumer preferences and emerging trends, according to attendees at the recent ICSC Las Vegas event. GlobeSt.com caught up with Christine Deschaine, a Senior Vice President of Kennedy Wilson brokerage, who offered valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the retail market.
Her observations shed light on the growing demand for sit-down dining, quick-service restaurants, and medical users expanding into urban areas. Deschaine highlighted the resurgence of fitness and the shift towards smaller footprints among established retail giants. Her comments showcase a promising future for retail and the continued prominence of mixed-use properties in urban landscapes.
Demand for Dining Experiences
Recommended For You
One of the prominent trends observed by Deschaine is the increasing demand for sit-down dining and quick-service restaurants. "Today's consumers seek not just sustenance but also the experience of enjoying a meal in a cozy restaurant or grabbing a quick bite on the go," she said. "This shift in preference has created lucrative opportunities for restaurateurs and entrepreneurs in the food service industry."
Expansion of Medical Users
Urban areas are witnessing a surge in medical users who are keen to establish a presence in densely populated locations, she added. Recognizing the potential for growth and accessibility, these medical professionals are actively seeking out spaces in urban markets. "This trend not only caters to the needs of urban residents but also provides medical users with a strategic advantage by positioning themselves closer to their target audience," she said.
The Revival of Fitness
Another noteworthy development in the retail market is the resurgence of the fitness industry. Deschaine highlighted how fitness tenants who previously faced barriers to market entry are now presented with enticing opportunities. With smaller gyms downsizing or vacating their premises, larger vacancies have emerged, she said. "These vacancies serve as ideal spaces for fitness-focused businesses to establish their presence, catering to the growing fitness-conscious consumer base."
Adapting to Smaller Footprints
Her analysis reveals an intriguing shift among established retail brands with larger footprints. Due to changing consumer preferences, brands are reevaluating their formats and adjusting to smaller footprints.
For instance, tenants like the Gap, she says, who traditionally occupied expansive spaces of 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, are now exploring the potential of more compact locations around 10,000 square feet. This adaptation allows them to remain relevant and agile in a changing retail landscape, she says.
The Changing Face of Grocers
The grocery sector is also experiencing transformations in response to shifting consumer demands. Concepts such as Erewhon and Gelson's are opting for smaller footprints and seeking a presence in ground floor mixed-use projects within densely populated urban markets, she says. Even major retailers like Costco are embracing a departure from their traditional freestanding concept, she explained. By planning smaller format stores on the ground floor of mixed-use buildings, they are signaling to other tenants that mixed-use properties, incorporating retailers and restaurants, will continue to shape our urban landscape.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the ICSC Las Vegas event from GlobeSt.com, including exclusive insights from attendees. Also, check out the related stories already posted below:
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
