"We expect an increasingly competitive market to yield cautiousexpansion plans for many retailers and restaurant chains," Toroyansays. Certain big box segments, such as furniture, home furnishingsand consumer electronics are seeing steady sales increases, while aconsolidation in other areas such as pet supply stores and partygoods, are slipping.

Additionally, the broker says, "declines in consumer spending onapparel and footwear may translate into an increased supply of bigbox retail space." Specialty retail and lifestyle centers are onthe rise "and with the problematic nature of the theater industry,they are predominately being driven by music, booksellers andrestaurants," Toroyan tells GlobeSt.com. .

South Florida rents have stabilized in most submarkets withrelatively strong gains in a few select trade areas. "Absorptionlevels are strong, leaving little quality product available," thebroker says. Big-box space should see a slight increase insecond-generation supply, but prime local space continues to havedemand outpace supply.