GlobeSt.com is providing wall-to-wall coverage of ICSC's RECon show in Las Vegas May 19-22. Subscribe to the Retail Ticket for pre-event articles, live video interviews on site and post-conference analysis.

“At neighborhood strip malls and power centers, big box brands that are shuttering and leaving behind empty storefronts are resulting in a reverse in how owners and developers approach filling space at those centers.” That is according to Chuck Taylor, director of operations for Lemont, IL-based Englewood Construction. In the past, he tells GlobeSt.com, the big box space would be filled first, with a well-known brand as anchor tenant attracting smaller brands and leading to build-out of additional sites on the property. But now, he says with many of those primary storefronts sitting vacant after brands fold, “owners and developers are still tapping us to move ahead with construction of two- or four-unit retail strips and single-use pad sites in the outlots of these centers. They're using this as a creative way to continue generating revenue and driving traffic as they find something new to fill the vacant anchor space.”

If you are one of the many looking for creative ways to use retail space, you aren't alone and are likely headed to the colossal RECon convention May 19-22 in Las Vegas.  “For the retail real estate industry, this is our Super Bowl,” So said principal Jason Baker, who leads the representation team at Houston-based Baker Katz when talking about the upcoming ICSC RECon show in Las Vegas. He tells GlobeSt.com that there is positive energy leading up to the show with discussion around emerging and expanding retailers, and we expect that conversation continue throughout the conference.