Eight key markets are poised to have the most momentum in retail rent growth this year, according to a new report from JLL's capital markets retail team. 

Nashville tops the list with nearly 63% growth in retail rental rates since 2011, followed by South Florida at 47.1% and Austin and Tampa, each at 39%. Other top metros include Denver with 37% and Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth and Raleigh-Durham all clocking in at 30% rental growth. 

JLL experts say these so-called "momentum markets" have posted rental growth since 2011 that's well above the national 10-year rent growth of 27.7%, as well as population growth above the 10-year national average of 7.4%.  Consumer behavior also plays a huge part: in recent remarks, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay predicted retail sales will hit $4.86 trillion or more this year, and said NRF expects durable growth notwithstanding inflation risks and geopolitical threats. NRF predicts retail sales to tick up by between 6 and 8% in 2022.