Retailers plan to expand nationwide: CBRE

Retailer confidence is burgeoning nationwide, according to a CB Richard Ellis’ survey of more than 100 retail executives, conducted between March and April. The vast majority of respondents, 92 percent, said that they were planning to open more stores through the end of the year, while 70 percent of those surveyed said that they believe the overall economy is doing better than in the recent past. But, despite the respondents’ confidence in the economy, 43 percent said that they expect retail rents to stay flat through the end of the year and 48 percent said that they believe rents will decline in 2010. TRD