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Commercial Real Estate & Business News – May 9, 2017

Indeed, the news seems dire, and troubled retailers such as Sears or bebe seem to dominate the headlines, whether the troubles were due to management issues or struggles adapting to new modes of consumer activity (read: online sales). But, what Cosenza wants to make clear is that “It’s not all retail, and there are selected areas of retail that are not necessarily within that category.” As proof, he cites such players as DDR, Kite Realty (which a few years back purchased Inland Diversified for a reported $1.2 billion) and Regency, all of which are more than 95% occupied. Inland REITs themselves are, on average 95% full, he says…»

The newest Amazon Books location will reside in a 10,000-sq.-ft. space in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. The planned location further illustrates the online retailer’s commitment to brick-and-mortar stores. The Amazon Books banner now operates six locations in Chicago, Seattle, San Diego, Portland, Oregon, and in Dedham and Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Additional locations planned to open this year include Garden State Plaza, Paramus, New Jersey; Shops at Columbus Circle, New York City; and two stores in the greater Boston area…»

On the heels of softer-than-expected financial results in its fiscal second quarter, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage said it would build fewer stores this year than initially anticipated but maintained that sales would rebound in the second half…»

U.S. job growth rebounded sharply in April and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent, near a 10-year low, pointing to a tightening labor market that likely seals the case for an interest rate increase next month despite moderate wage growth. Nonfarm payrolls surged by 211,000 jobs last month after a paltry gain of 79,000 in March, the Labor Department said on Friday. April’s job growth, which was broad-based, surpassed this year’s monthly average of 185,000…»

Despite talks of a pricing slowdown, the most expensive rental markets in the U.S. saw price increases in April, according to Zumper’s latest report. San Francisco and New York City remain the top two rental markets in the country…»