INTRODUCTION
In our 35th edition of Main Streets Across the World, the retail sector is thriving. Fuelled by data-driven decision making, ongoing demand for physical experiences, and constant customer demand for “what’s next,” the industry is undergoing a dynamic transformation. These factors compel retailers to strike a delicate balance: staying agile to navigate near-term volatility while remaining strategic to sustain long-term growth. The good news? The sector is successfully rising to these challenges and continues to demonstrate its relevance to an increasingly discerning consumer. Amid this wider transformation, uncertainty is at an all-time high. Geopolitical tensions remain taut. Central banks are trying to navigate competing forces that could reignite or deflate inflation, leading to diverse views on interest rates. Businesses and consumers are understandably concerned by these factors, which is weighing on economic growth forecasts as a result. Yet, despite these challenges, the sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with retail sales across most of the world consistently achieving positive, real growth.
Rather than resist this turbulence, retailers have embraced it, recognising that adaptation is essential to avoid being left behind. Competition to secure space remains intense as increasing numbers of emerging brands challenge legacy names for super- premium spaces. Consequently, rents have surged in select markets, causing the financial repercussions of underperformance to become even more pronounced. This increase in competitive tension has driven the need for change. In recognition of this and as digital adoption accelerates, retailers have modified their approaches to portfolio expansion and associated decision-making processes. Data and analytics are at the forefront, allowing retailers to not only analyse more sites simultaneously, but in more granular detail. This deeper insight allows for a greater understanding of customers—their expectations, preferred experiences, and modes of engagement—empowering retailers to evaluate cities, neighbourhoods, and streets to find the optimal locations.
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CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD
MAIN STREETS ACROSS THE WORLD 2025
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