The enduring appeal of brick and mortar retail

Walmart's plan to open 150 new large format locations in the next five years demonstrates the enduring popularity of physical stores. The record low vacancy rate in retail spaces can be attributed to the slowdown in the construction of new strip malls, allowing existing retailers to utilize the available space. Compared to 2019 and the period between 2008 and 2014, there was a significant decrease in the construction of new retail space in 2020. This indicates the healthy state of physical retail. Despite store closings and bankruptcies during the e-commerce revolution, physical retail has rebounded and stands strong.