Decoding Retail Market Trends with JLL’s Monica Mason

Decoding Retail Market Trends with JLL’s Monica Mason

From Leaning In by Trademark Property

March 5, 2026 · 40 min · Season 7 · Episode 1

About this episode

Terry Montesi interviews Monica Mason about the factors driving the resurgence of retail real estate investment in the U.S.

Terry Montesi sits down with Monica Mason to explore what is really driving the resurgence of retail real estate investment in the United States. Drawing on her work analyzing capital markets data and investor behavior, Monica explains why retail fundamentals have strengthened in recent years and why institutional investors are increasingly allocating capital to the sector. The conversation unpacks the supply constraints created by post pandemic construction costs, the demographic trends shaping retail demand, and how investors are adapting to a higher interest rate environment. Along the way, Monica shares the data signals that matter most for investors evaluating where retail opportunities are emerging. They discuss: • Why retail investment has grown from 7% of total real estate investment in 2021 to 14% today • How pandemic era construction slowdowns and rising costs created a supply shortage that supports rent growth • Why institutional investors increased retail allocations and what is driving the surge in capital flows • The demographic shifts fueling retail investment across the Southeast and Southwest, including Texas and Arizona • Misconceptions around grocery anchored…

People in this episode

Host: Terry Montesi

Guest: Monica Mason

Topics covered

  • retail real estate investment
  • capital markets data
  • investor behavior
  • supply constraints
  • demographic trends
  • interest rate environment

Keywords

  • retail investment
  • capital allocation
  • construction costs
  • demographics
  • interest rates
  • real estate trends
  • supply shortage

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: JLL

Places: United States, Southeast, Southwest, Texas, Arizona

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