May 2025 Newsletter

Retail Leasing Trends & Exit Strategy Insights for Commercial Investors
Criterion’s May 2025 Market Update

If you invest in retail real estate or are tracking value-add shopping center opportunities, our May 2025 newsletter covers the commercial retail trends that matter most right now.

In this month’s update, we focus on how retail tenant mix, leasing velocity, and consumer behavior are shaping property values and influencing commercial real estate exit strategies.

Key insights include:

Tenant Mix Strategy: Why mom-and-pop tenants are often more valuable than they look—and how we balance them with national brands in our centers.

QSR Growth & Leasing Impact: Quick-service restaurant tenants like Raising Cane’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken are outperforming in foot traffic. We explain why this matters for NOI and disposition timing.

Health Retail & FSA Spending: Retailers are capturing billions in unused pre-tax healthcare funds. We highlight how that’s shaping tenant demand in health-forward retail centers.

Tariff Risks & Retail Availability: Learn why low retail vacancy (currently at 4.8%) could help protect well-located assets from economic headwinds.

We also provide real-world updates on Criterion developments in Fort Worth, Jacksonville, Princeton, and Owasso—showing how our leasing and development strategies are driving cash flow and value.

Read the full newsletter to explore how we’re navigating today’s commercial real estate market and executing value-add retail investment strategies across key U.S. markets.

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