The prepared-food segment is also growing, both in restaurants and in grocers. Prepared foods have a higher profit margin, and grocers are now an alternative for picking up dinner on the way home from work. People are so busy and being pulled in so many different directions they are willing to pay for the convenience, and they do not have to compromise on healthy choices.

Urban Plates, Jimbo's, Whole Foods and Lemonade are all examples of both restaurants and grocers who are preparing meals to take home. Whether it is a hearty salad, flatbread, rotisserie chicken or sushi, the variety and quality of home meal replacements is growing.

GlobeSt.com: What are retailers' greatest real estate concerns at this point in the cycle?

Bobb: We are seeing restaurants continue to express concerns over the increase of minimum wage, especially when coupled with high rents in highly sought-after locations. Already-slim profit margins are being squeezed, and oftentimes restaurants are looking for more affordable rents in places that are off the beaten path in a funkier location. They then rely on their quality and cool atmosphere to enticement customers to come to them.

The best-curated experiences are when a landlord and tenant work together and create something special. My landlord clients are smart and work with tenants to genuinely understand their business and work together to make a deal. It is beneficial for both landlords and tenants when they create a cool, authentic atmosphere where people want to hang out—and then post it on Instagram.

GlobeSt.com: How are retailers embracing technology as a strategy to boost sales?

Bobb: It's not one or the other—online sales or brick-and-mortar sales—they work together. The physical store plays a huge role in the perception and brand for customers and determines how likely they are to purchase online or in store again. The digital outlets give customers the ability to shop where and when they want. The two outlets go hand in hand, working together in clear brand messaging and generating more exposure.

Online retailers who have started opening brick-and-mortar storefronts are creating a stronger brand presence and expanding their customer base. Brands like Bonobos, Warby Parker, Athleta and Birchbox are traditional online retailers who have opened up physical stores—this concept compliments their sales because customers enjoy the physical shopping experience. Customers have more knowledge on products and higher expectations for service, and they have more options than ever before.

Tyler Haney, the founder of Outdoor Voices, describes it perfectly. She focuses on technology and e-commerce as being “supported by little retail experiences where people can get together and do things.” It's hard to do, but there are great brands that are starting online, then being thoughtful and strategic about their brick-and mortar-growth—but it always comes back to the customer experience.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about retail trends you noticed at ICSC?

Bobb: It seems like everything is going so specialized. Consumers are paying a premium for better experiences. From nail salons to spin studios, specialty retailers are changing retail real estate. I absolutely love the Cur Bar nail salon in the Del Sur Town Center. There is a chandelier in the lobby, Restoration Hardware chairs, hardwood floors—it's beautiful. SoulCycle is more expensive than a gym, but people love the vibe and the inspiration. They can't get enough. Even the juice category has blown up over the past year or two: there's Pressed, Nektar, Juice Crafters, Vitality Tap, Choice Juicery and many others.

SAN DIEGO—Restaurants continue to express concerns over the increase in minimum wage, especially when coupled with high rents in highly sought-after locations, CBRE's VP, retail services, Carrie Bobb tells GlobeSt.com. We spoke with Bobb after the recent ICSC Western Conference here to discuss some of retailers' greatest real estate trends and concerns at this late point in the cycle.

GlobeSt.com: What do you see as the biggest emerging retail trends for 2017?

Bobb: Customers are looking for a unique, interesting shopping experience. Our lives are so packed with so many things vying for our attention that the retail experience must compete for the consumer's interest. The retail experience is their form of entertainment.

Food halls continue to grow, but it is not easy to find those who can execute on both the quality of the product and the experience. It's hard to do both. Consumers go to the food hall, oftentimes without a specific vendor in mind, but with the attitude they will figure it out when they get there. The idea of browsing, sampling and checking things out, all with a glass of wine in hand, is entertainment.

The prepared-food segment is also growing, both in restaurants and in grocers. Prepared foods have a higher profit margin, and grocers are now an alternative for picking up dinner on the way home from work. People are so busy and being pulled in so many different directions they are willing to pay for the convenience, and they do not have to compromise on healthy choices.

Urban Plates, Jimbo's, Whole Foods and Lemonade are all examples of both restaurants and grocers who are preparing meals to take home. Whether it is a hearty salad, flatbread, rotisserie chicken or sushi, the variety and quality of home meal replacements is growing.

GlobeSt.com: What are retailers' greatest real estate concerns at this point in the cycle?

Bobb: We are seeing restaurants continue to express concerns over the increase of minimum wage, especially when coupled with high rents in highly sought-after locations. Already-slim profit margins are being squeezed, and oftentimes restaurants are looking for more affordable rents in places that are off the beaten path in a funkier location. They then rely on their quality and cool atmosphere to enticement customers to come to them.

The best-curated experiences are when a landlord and tenant work together and create something special. My landlord clients are smart and work with tenants to genuinely understand their business and work together to make a deal. It is beneficial for both landlords and tenants when they create a cool, authentic atmosphere where people want to hang out—and then post it on Instagram.

GlobeSt.com: How are retailers embracing technology as a strategy to boost sales?

Bobb: It's not one or the other—online sales or brick-and-mortar sales—they work together. The physical store plays a huge role in the perception and brand for customers and determines how likely they are to purchase online or in store again. The digital outlets give customers the ability to shop where and when they want. The two outlets go hand in hand, working together in clear brand messaging and generating more exposure.

Online retailers who have started opening brick-and-mortar storefronts are creating a stronger brand presence and expanding their customer base. Brands like Bonobos, Warby Parker, Athleta and Birchbox are traditional online retailers who have opened up physical stores—this concept compliments their sales because customers enjoy the physical shopping experience. Customers have more knowledge on products and higher expectations for service, and they have more options than ever before.

Tyler Haney, the founder of Outdoor Voices, describes it perfectly. She focuses on technology and e-commerce as being “supported by little retail experiences where people can get together and do things.” It's hard to do, but there are great brands that are starting online, then being thoughtful and strategic about their brick-and mortar-growth—but it always comes back to the customer experience.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about retail trends you noticed at ICSC?

Bobb: It seems like everything is going so specialized. Consumers are paying a premium for better experiences. From nail salons to spin studios, specialty retailers are changing retail real estate. I absolutely love the Cur Bar nail salon in the Del Sur Town Center. There is a chandelier in the lobby, Restoration Hardware chairs, hardwood floors—it's beautiful. SoulCycle is more expensive than a gym, but people love the vibe and the inspiration. They can't get enough. Even the juice category has blown up over the past year or two: there's Pressed, Nektar, Juice Crafters, Vitality Tap, Choice Juicery and many others.