TUCSON, AZ (March 24, 2025) -- The April Retail Trend Report is out! The retail industry stands at the threshold of a profound transformation. Rapid technological advancements and evolving consumer expectations are driving unprecedented change and making it imperative for both established brands and emerging players to stay ahead of the curve.
Picture stepping into a store where personalized recommendations welcome you, intelligent systems seamlessly manage inventory, and your shopping experience flows effortlessly across multiple platforms as you check out with cryptocurrency. This isn’t a vision of a distant future—it’s the reality unfolding now. The intersection of technology and consumer behavior is reshaping how retailers operate and connect with their customers.
To succeed in this fast-evolving landscape, retailers must embrace innovation, integrate cutting-edge technologies, prioritize sustainability, and rethink customer engagement strategies. Let’s explore the key trends shaping retail's future through our industry experts' insights.
Curt Woody, the Town of Marana’s Director of Economics, remains optimistic about Marana’s retail outlook in Northwest Marna is Still Wide Open for Opportunity emphasizing that Northwest Marana is still ripe with opportunities. He provides the latest updates on the town’s growth plans and future developments.
In An Update on the Tucson Retail Market, MAI appraiser Andres Rubal discusses market trends and highlights a 33-basis-point increase in cap rates compared to last year.
In her annual Tucson Big Box Retail Report: Year-End 2024, Nancy McClure of CBRE reveals that Tucson now has 1.67 million square feet of big box space vacant — surpassing pandemic-era vacancy levels—with more closures anticipated due to national retailer bankruptcies.
Transformation: The Decline and Rise of the Suburban Shopping Mall explores the ongoing de-malling trend across the area. Rob Tomlinson of Picor highlights how these properties offer prime opportunities for reimagining and reinventing retail spaces.
Serving up Growth: The Phoenix Restaurant Market is Booming by Charles Skaggs, Sr VP with Western Retail Advisors, shares staggering insights into the rapid transformation of restaurant concepts across Phoenix.
Special guest writer, Pamela Giss, Principal at Launch Development Finance Advisors makes a compelling case In Defense of Community Facilities Districts and Revitalization Districts: Why Public Finance for Private Development is More Important Than Ever.
Barbi Reuter, CEO of Picor, recently presented to ULI on the office market, and I couldn’t wait for our Office Trends issue to share the highlights. Now available: A Tale of Market Contrasts: The Arizona Office Story Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All.
We wrap up this issue of Retail Trends with a look at the Top 5 Shopping Center Sales of 2024 and a preview of some exciting New Retail Coming Soon!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this Trend Report—we couldn’t do it without you!
As always, we appreciate the Trend Report team: Patti van Leer, Michael Rossmann, Melissa Vucijevic, and Jack Paddock.
Stay tuned—work is already underway for our next highly anticipated May "Industrial Trends" issue!
We always appreciate your feedback and welcome your comments! Stop by and say “Hi” at https://trendreportaz.com under the Connect tab and ask for your complimentary copy.
Stay Sharp with Actionable Insights!
Karen Schutte, Editor