WILL WE SEE MORE STARBUCKS CLOSINGS?

Last week's national GlobeSt.com Quick Poll asked readers if the market will see more Starbucks closings. An overwhelming 84% majority said yes. Marc Strauss, vice president of investments and senior director with Marcus & Millichap's national retail group in Fort Lauderdale, talks to GlobeSt.com about the coffee giant's closings as part of an overall rise in retail vacancy:

"I think we will absolutely see more retailers closing. Speaking specifically of more Starbucks closings, there could well be as more evaluations are going on. The interesting thing about Starbucks is that the company is also getting rid of a lot of merchandise. According to one report I read, they won't be selling music anymore.

"As we drive the South Florida market and speak to owners here, and nationally, we are starting to see a substantial increase in vacancies. This is happening because there is less disposable income. It's a consumer problem: if they don't have money to spend, they're not buying.