'This is the pure essence of the deal'

Shopping centers, especially those anchored by quality grocery stores, continue to be at the top of most investors' shopping lists and are also the product of choice for many lenders, according to a random survey of lenders, brokers and owners conducted by Debt & Equity Journal. New trends are also surfacing in retail development, including a shift from enclosed mall development to lifestyle and community and neighborhood centers, says Nat Zvislo, research director at the Chicago-based Real Estate Capital Institute.

NEW YORK CITY-Some say the giant chain's plan to sell generic drugs for $4 per prescription will not cut far into other chains' sales.

Time was when tourists didn't shop in a restaurant or eat in a mall. But today's malls and lifestyle centers, looking to attract more dollars from the same visitors who make shopping their number 1 activity, are improving their restaurant selection and promoting their food offerings. From Orlando to Los Angeles and in between, shopping center owners have realized that fine dining has progressed from a tactic to keep shoppers from leaving to a draw in itself.