Connect Retail West 2026

Following years of instability after COVID, the retail sector has finally begun to stabilize. As the market continues to evolve, several standout trends are reshaping how developers and investors operate. Supply is still tight, so well-located retail spaces are in high demand. Additionally, the rise of online shopping means that brands must step up their in-person experience. From restaurants to fitness concepts and salons, tenants offering services consumers can’t replicate online are fueling leasing activity across the West Coast. Join the industry experts at the forefront of these trends for a discussion on West Coast retail. Panelists will equip attendees with the tools to make highly informed decisions that capitalize on opportunity. Learn how those on the cutting-edge of retail real estate are navigating market shifts to maximize growth, minimize risk, and align investments with forecasted trends.

The next evolution of in-person retail is here. Experiential retail continues to gain momentum, with entertainment, fitness, dining, and interactive concepts driving foot traffic and reshaping consumer expectations. At the same time, grocery-anchored shopping centers remain among the industry's most resilient assets, serving as community hubs that generate consistent traffic and support a mix of retail, dining, and service-oriented tenants.

Panelists will explore what today's retailers are looking for when selecting locations — from co-tenancy, visibility, and accessibility to opportunities for customer engagement and omnichannel fulfillment. They'll discuss how owners and developers can attract experiential retailers, leverage grocery anchors to strengthen center performance, and adapt leasing strategies to meet evolving consumer demand. You'll hear how these strategies are shaping tenant mixes, enhancing the customer experience, and creating long-term value for both retailers and property owners.

Capital is returning to retail, but investors are becoming increasingly selective about where they place their bets. As consumer preferences evolve and capital markets stabilize, investors, lenders, and owners are reassessing risk, return expectations, and long-term value creation strategies.

Retail market experts will examine investment sales activity, valuation trends, refinancing challenges, debt market conditions, insurance costs, and the factors driving capital allocation decisions across the Western U.S. Panelists will also discuss how evolving tenant demand, leasing trends, and asset positioning are influencing transactions and shaping the next wave of retail investment.

As retailers seek resilient tenancy and consumers increasingly demand convenience, healthcare and wellness providers are becoming some of the most active users of retail real estate. From outpatient clinics and urgent care centers to specialty medical practices and wellness concepts, healthcare is reshaping shopping centers, mixed-use developments, and neighborhood retail corridors. In this session, speakers will discuss how landlords, developers, investors, and occupiers are capitalizing on the growing convergence of retail and healthcare to drive traffic, diversify revenue, and create mixed-use destinations.