Study: Retailers, Commercial Real Estate Companies Optimistic About Strong Recovery in 2021

Close to 88% of shopping centers are being used to fulfill online orders, and 99% of retail respondents reported their stores fulfilled online orders to some degree.

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Nearly 60% of commercial real estate (CRE) leaders and 55% of brick-and-mortar retailers expect a return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, according to a survey conducted on behalf of International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

The survey found two-thirds of retailers began offering in-store fulfillment of online orders in response to the pandemic, while 73% of small retailers implemented a click-and-collect option. Close to 88% of shopping centers are being used to fulfill online orders, and 99% of retail respondents reported their stores fulfilled online orders to some degree.

From Yahoo! Finance

  • Respondents intend to invest both online and in-store, with 78% of large retailers saying their marketing efforts will center around the digital customer experience, while 73% noted in-store sales were a priority.
  • Three in four retailers have used their parking lots to accommodate curbside pickup.
  • Nearly 80% of small CRE firms are likely to continue using plexiglass barriers to protect employees and shoppers over the next 12 months, while large CRE firms have prioritized increased sanitation (76%) over other restrictions, while independent retailers (58%) are prioritizing crowd management.
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