Prime urban retail corridors in North America are becoming increasingly competitive, with rising rents and limited vacancy driving record investment levels, according to JLL's 2025 City Retail Report.
Retailers are responding by transforming stores into experiential destinations rather than purely transactional spaces, aiming to attract more customers and justify high operating costs.
Location choice is now closely tied to brand positioning, with retailers selecting corridors to align with store design and marketing strategies. The market is consolidating, with New York City, Los Angeles and Miami accounting for the majority of new openings, particularly in fashion and dining sectors. Global and national brands, including Uniqlo, H&M, John Varvatos and Levain Bakery, are leading expansion in these key cities.
High street retail investment has surged, with 2025 seeing an 82 percent increase in asset transactions compared to previous years. Retailers
