Ease of experience is also a big driver now as customers have extremely hectic lives and busy schedules. For example, we are seeing this need met through new phone apps that allow the customer to order conveniently and then have their order ready for pickup upon arrival. Chipotle and Starbucks are two great concepts that have been on the front end of pioneering this technology to meet the need of the busy consumer.

GlobeSt.com: So would you say this is a landlords' or tenants' market?

Mitchell: We are definitely in a landlord market currently. Rents are on the upswing and absorption rates are high.

New development is occurring in high demand markets, which is driving rents for small retail development above levels seen during the last peak in the real estate cycle. Every active tenant seems to be competing for the same high-demand spaces, which is allowing landlords to push rents and be very selective when it comes to which specific tenant and tenant mix they want in their new developments.

Steady gains in the US economy have resulted in net positives for the multifamily sector—will this wave continue for the foreseeable future? What's driving development and capital flows? Join us at RealShare Apartments on October 19 & 20 for impactful information from the leaders in the National multifamily space. Learn more.

ORLANDO—Small ball retail development is still the name of the game in Orlando. But where does the restaurant scene fit into the bigger picture?

GlobeSt.com caught up with James Mitchell, a senior vice president with CBRE, to get his thoughts on trends in Orlando's retail market in part one of this exclusive interview. You can still read part one of this exclusive interview here.

GlobeSt.com: What is your outlook for Orlando's restaurant market going forward?

Mitchell: Competition in the restaurant sector is fierce, and in my opinion will only get fiercer as the consumer demands fresher foods and chic, cool concepts. There are so many choices today and the concepts that can differentiate themselves and create a “customer experience,” as well as serve great food, will be the concepts that are sustainable.

Ease of experience is also a big driver now as customers have extremely hectic lives and busy schedules. For example, we are seeing this need met through new phone apps that allow the customer to order conveniently and then have their order ready for pickup upon arrival. Chipotle and Starbucks are two great concepts that have been on the front end of pioneering this technology to meet the need of the busy consumer.

GlobeSt.com: So would you say this is a landlords' or tenants' market?

Mitchell: We are definitely in a landlord market currently. Rents are on the upswing and absorption rates are high.

New development is occurring in high demand markets, which is driving rents for small retail development above levels seen during the last peak in the real estate cycle. Every active tenant seems to be competing for the same high-demand spaces, which is allowing landlords to push rents and be very selective when it comes to which specific tenant and tenant mix they want in their new developments.

Steady gains in the US economy have resulted in net positives for the multifamily sector—will this wave continue for the foreseeable future? What's driving development and capital flows? Join us at RealShare Apartments on October 19 & 20 for impactful information from the leaders in the National multifamily space. Learn more.