Industry News

President Trump’s unexpected tariff hikes on China and Canada have shaken the retail industry and stock market, with RH plunging 40%. Retailers and real estate professionals now face uncertainty as cost pressures, consumer price hikes, and trade disruptions ripple across the sector.

After years of rapid growth, the car wash industry is cooling as Zips Car Wash files for bankruptcy and major players sell off assets. High debt, rising rates, and market saturation are forcing operators to downsize and refocus on profitable locations.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is set to go private in a $10 billion buyout by Sycamore Partners, aiming to bolster its turnaround amid store closures and industry-wide pressures. The deal, which could reach $23.7 billion with debt, reflects broader challenges facing pharmacies like Rite Aid and CVS.

Rising interest rates have significantly reduced 1031 exchange transactions, with deal volume dropping to $11.9 billion in 2023, the lowest level since 2012. The Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes, which peaked at 5.33% in August 2023, led to increased borrowing costs and slowed investment activity.

Blackstone is finalizing a $4 billion acquisition of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (ROIC), a REIT specializing in grocery-anchored shopping centers. The deal will be backed by a commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loan, reflecting strong investor demand for necessity-based retail as interest rates stabilize.

Following Party City’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and liquidation, Dollar Tree and Five Below emerged as the top bidders for the retailer’s store leases. While the auction secured bids for around 250 locations, nearly 700 leases remained available, highlighting ongoing challenges in filling vacant retail spaces.