--- title: "NRF Big Show 2016: Retail Trends Affecting Commercial Real Estate" description: Every year, thousands descend upon Manhattan to attend the NRF Big Show. Attendees learn the latest trends and technologies affecting the retail world. image: https://connect.regencycenters.com/hubfs/images/nrf.jpg --- - [Home](https://www.regencycenters.com/) - [Properties](https://connect.regencycenters.com/properties) - [In Development](https://connect.regencycenters.com/in-development) - [Regency](https://connect.regencycenters.com/regency) - [Contact](https://connect.regencycenters.com/contact) - [Investors](http://investors.regencycenters.com) - [Tenants](https://connect.regencycenters.com/tenants) - [Blog](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog) - [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.regencycenters.com/corporate-responsibility) - [Leadership](https://www.regencycenters.com/leadership) - [Investors](http://investors.regencycenters.com) - [Tenants](https://www.regencycenters.com/tenants) - [Careers](https://www.regencycenters.com/regency/careers) [![Regency Centers](https://www.regencycenters.com/ResourcePackages/Regency/assets/dist/images/regency-centers.svg)](https://www.regencycenters.com/) [![Search](https://www.regencycenters.com/ResourcePackages/Regency/assets/dist/images/icon-search.svg) Properties](https://www.regencycenters.com/properties) ![Menu](https://www.regencycenters.com/ResourcePackages/Regency/assets/dist/images/icon-menu.svg) Menu - [Properties](https://www.regencycenters.com/properties) - [In Development](https://www.regencycenters.com/in-development) - [Regency](https://www.regencycenters.com/regency) - [Contact](https://www.regencycenters.com/contact) Search - [Inside Regency](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/topic/inside-regency) - [News Releases](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/topic/news-releases) - [Retailer News](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/topic/retailer-news) # NRF Big Show 2016: Retail Trends Affecting Commercial Real Estate [Jessica Sheard](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/author/jessica-sheard) [Inside Regency](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/topic/inside-regency) February 24, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Every year, thousands descend upon Manhattan to attend National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Big Show. Attendees learn the latest trends and technologies affecting the retail world. In its 105th year, I joined over 33,000 people to find out how these trends relate to the commercial real estate industry. After three full days of sessions and meetings, my top takeaways for retail developers and shopping center owners are: ![Foot traffic inside of the Javits center during a convention](https://connect.regencycenters.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/nrf.jpg?width=640&name=nrf.jpg "nrf.jpg") 1. **Creative Use Clauses: Experience is the New Status Symbol** According to [Forbes](http://be342f483b4ab7388aae-c2d16f00bd0445c766f245d8fbb20271.r33.cf1.rackcdn.com/MillenialsWantMore.pdf),71% of consumers under 35 prefer to talk about something they have done or experienced rather than something they have purchased. As retail morphs from a product-based focus to experiential focus, shoppers see retail spaces as places they can learn new skills and build social networks. In the CRE world, we will continue to see creative lease language regarding acceptable uses. What once was simply a “retail store” may now be a [classroom](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/6-reasons-fall-love-southern-season/#.Vs4N-pMrJBw), sampling/testing space, showroom, or event venue. ![An empty classroom style room for a cooking and wine demonstration](https://connect.regencycenters.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/2.jpg?width=640&name=2.jpg "2.jpg") 2. **Choosing the Right Retailers** A retailers’ knowledge of the changing digital landscape has become paramount to their success. The path to purchase is no longer linear and could involve social media, an app, web-based research, in-store visit and online purchasing, in any order. As we consider the long term health of prospective tenants, strong financials are no longer the only criteria; we now find ourselves asking a new set of questions. Do they use an effective multi-channel marketing strategy? Are they providing a unique experience to engage customers in-store? Do they have a strong digital footprint and unique brand draw? Are they effectively blending content with commerce? Merchants who excel in these areas are set up to maximize sales; healthier tenants can create healthier shopping centers, and that can equal positive rent growth. 3. **Must-Have: Broadband Internet Access** Today’s successful retailers are utilizing a new set of technology tools to improve business strategies and engage shoppers. From RFID tags that make inventory and loss prevention simple, to connected “field agents” (i.e. associates with tablets or other devices), these tools require a reliable high-speed internet connection. Other widely used new tools include updated point-of-sale systems, store traffic counters, beacon technology, interactive digital signage with motion detectors – the list goes on. As developers and shopping center owners, the easier we make it for merchants to stay connected, the more successful they can be. ![A customer in a shoe store with the employee showing them the shoe on an iPad](https://connect.regencycenters.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/3.jpg?width=640&name=3.jpg "3.jpg") 4. **National & Local Can (and should) Work Together** Today’s shoppers want to feel good about their consumption; retailers who align themselves with causes and strong values can certainly capitalize on this. According to [Bob Myers](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-grocery-trends-2016-bob-myers?trk=hp-feed-article-title-like), “Consumers, especially Millennials, are asking retailers to align with their core values including sustainability, diversity and purpose. Successful retailers will find a way to demonstrate purposeful purchasing to consumers, from mission-based programs and messaging to more sustainable product development, such as gender-neutral retail. This is a platform big food brands must recognize, and where Whole Foods has thrived for years.” As we bring new merchants into communities, we can expect more shopper engagement with those tenants with platforms in place to improve their communities. Local shops like [Rose & Remington](http://www.regencycenters.com/blog/fresh-picked-retailer-fall-2015-rose-and-remington/) donate proceeds to local women’s shelter, while national operators like [Kohl’s](http://www.kohls.com/sale-event/kohl-s-cares.jsp) have seen success with programs that donate portions of purchase prices to non-profit organizations across the nation. Despite forces of change affecting the retail world, there are plenty of companies that are poised to perform very well in the near future. According to Deloitte’s [Retail Power Players](http://events.nrf.com/annual2016/CUSTOM/Speaker/RetailsPowerPlayers.pdf) session and presentation, companies that are expected to fare well in 2016 (according to their [Q-ratio](http://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/qratio.asp)) include Nike, the TJX companies, Ross, and Tractor Supply Company. At Regency, we are excited to be a part of the ongoing retail evolution and look forward to assisting our retailers in achieving long-term success. If you would like to catch up on some other NRF Big Show recaps, please check them out [here](http://bigshow16.nrf.com/session-materials). ##### Connect With Us [Join Our Mailing List](https://www.regencycenters.com/connect-with-us/)  > [Explore Our Markets](https://www.regencycenters.com/properties/our-markets)  > [Find a Space For Your Place](https://www.regencycenters.com/properties)  > ##### Related Stories [Dec 30 Regency Centers Recognized Among 250 Best-Managed Companies in 2022](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/regency-centers-best-managed-companies-2022) [Dec 16 Regency Team and Persimmon Place Give Back to Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/regency-and-persimmon-place-give-back-stanford-health-care) [Feb 25 LUXE Wearhouse Opens Second IL Location; Provides Boutique Experience](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/vernon-hills-mellody-farm-luxe-wearhouse-opening) [May 09 Carmine’s Eatery Reopens at Regency’s Newtown Square After Renovations](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/carmines-eatery-reopens-at-regencys-newtown-square-after-renovations) [May 02 Serramonte Center’s Jagalchi Brings a Taste of Korea to the Bay Area](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/serramonte-centers-jagalchi-brings-a-taste-of-korea-to-the-bay-area) [Mar 18 ShopRite Launches at Regency's Glenwood Green With Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/new-shoprite-launches-at-regencys-glenwood-green-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony) [Jan 07 Out of Office: Jill Caffey's “Everesting” Climb of a Lifetime](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/out-of-office-jill-caffeys-climb-of-a-lifetime) [Nov 09 Out of Office: Hit the Slopes with Gary Fields and Eric Ryan](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/out-of-office-hit-the-slopes-with-gary-fields-and-eric-ryan) [Oct 27 Out of Office: Erika Omana Mentors through 'Minds Matter' Los Angeles](https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/out-of-office-erika-omana) Subscribe [![Regency Centers](https://www.regencycenters.com/ResourcePackages/Regency/assets/dist/images/regency-centers.svg)](https://connect.regencycenters.com/) - [Careers](https://www.regencycenters.com/regency/careers) - [Investors](http://investors.regencycenters.com/) - [News](http://investors.regencycenters.com/news-releases) - [Fresh Look](https://www.regencycenters.com/regency/fresh-look) - [Tenants](https://www.regencycenters.com/tenants) - [Contact](https://www.regencycenters.com/contact) [Find a Property](https://www.regencycenters.com/properties) [Leasing Agent](https://www.regencycenters.com/contact) ![Reg Listed NYSE](https://connect.regencycenters.com/hubfs/blog2018/images/stock-ticker.svg) [Regency Centers Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/RegencyCenters) [Regency Centers Twitter](https://twitter.com/RegencyCenters) [Regency Centers Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/regencycenters/) [Regency Centers LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/regency-centers/) MEMBER **S&P 500** Regency Centers is a preeminent national owner, operator, and developer of shopping centers located in suburban trade areas with compelling demographics. ©2026 Regency Centers [Terms of Service](https://www.regencycenters.com/terms-of-service) [Privacy Policy](https://www.regencycenters.com/privacy-policy) Cookie Settings ![Quantcast](https://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-XHwFJLhjBpfmt.gif) ![](https://connect.regencycenters.com/hubfs/images/nrf.jpg) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jessica Sheard", "url" : "https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/author/jessica-sheard" }, "dateModified" : "2025-01-05T01:19:28.156Z", "datePublished" : "2016-02-24T19:26:00.000Z", "headline" : "NRF Big Show 2016: Retail Trends Affecting Commercial Real Estate", "image" : [ "https://connect.regencycenters.com/hubfs/images/nrf.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/nrf2016observations", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4081/img/vast.png" }, "name" : "Regency Centers" } } ```