Commercial retail locations are available in many different forms, and each one has its advantage and disadvantages. There are many factors that impact choosing a location, and selecting the right one will depend on your business, budget, and community.

For a brick and mortar business, choosing a retail location is a major decision. From the cost of rent to the level of foot traffic to regulations you must follow, the type of retail space you select can impact many aspects of your business.

Mall Space

From kiosks to large anchor stores, a mall has many retailers competing with each other under one roof. In a mall, there are generally three to five large chain stores and dozens of smaller retail shops.

Before selecting this type of location, learn about local trends in mall shopping and how that particular mall is doing before you agree to rent space there. Overall, mall shopping has declined since the Great Recession, and in the United States, the number of store closures is increasing yearly. However, many malls expect to see growth, adding experiential attractions to bring in new customers and drive foot traffic.

Pros of Mall Space

Lots of foot trafficAnchor of community shoppingLess advertising needed for customers to find you

Cons of Mall Space

Immediate competition from other storesRegulations and rules from mall managementHigher rent than other retail locations

What Makes Mall Retail Work

Shopper demographics that match your target customers Adaptations to attract customers, such as pop-up events Anchor stores that are doing well Low turnover/few empty stores

Shopping Centers

Strip malls and other attached, adjoining retail locations may have as few as three units or as many as 20. The types of retailers and the goods or services they offer will also vary. Before signing a lease, always investigate both the availability of parking and any regulations that the property has for retailers.

Pros of Shopping Centers

Fewer rules and regulations for retailersHigh visibility from streetLower rent than many mallsOften served by bus routes/public transit

Cons of Shopping Centers

Less foot trafficParking can limit accessibilityLack of modern facilities and updates

What Makes Shopping Center Retail Work

Plenty of parkingFew empty store-frontsA variety of stores and restaurants to attract customersModernized and updated buildings

Downtown Area

Many communities are hard at work to revitalize their downtown areas, and retailers can benefit from this effort. You’ll often find many older, well-established retailers in a downtown area. Because space is usually limited, these locations are often good choices for smaller or specialty stores. However, there are chains and big-box retailers that can make use of downtown retail locations, especially if they are willing to build up rather than out.

Pros of Downtown Areas

More freedom/fewer rules for business ownersAttractive to younger customers who prefer urban livingHeavy foot traffic

Cons of Downtown Areas

Expensive or limited customer parkingHigh rentLimited ability to expand/adapt your space

What Makes Downtown Retail Work

Public investment in revitalizing downtown spacesRegular downtown events to attract residents and visitorsWell-maintained/updated buildingsAccessible parking

Free Standing Retail Locations

This type of retail location is any stand-alone building. It can be tucked away in a neighborhood or right off a busy highway. Free-standing locations come in many sizes and can be appropriate for any type of retail business.

Pros of Free Standing Retail

Few or no restrictions from landlordsReasonable cost per square footLimited immediate competition

Cons of Free Standing Retail

Local zoning may restrict retail activities Lack of foot traffic Requires regular marketing to attract customers

What Makes Free Standing Retail Work

Dedicated parkingEasily accessible from major roadsNear other retail or residential areas

Business Parks

An office building, or a business park where many office buildings are grouped together, is similar to a strip mall or outdoor retail center. These are often good options for a retailer whose customers are other businesses.

Pros of Business Parks

Tenants share maintenance costsBuildings have an upscale and professional appearanceEasily accessible to other tenants

Cons of Business Parks

Lack of foot trafficCorporate feel less suited to B2C businessesLack of visibility for storefronts/signs

What Makes Retail Business Parks Work

Plenty of parkingWell-maintained outdoor spacesPlenty of tenants in the building with few empty stores

Home-based Retail Stores

Millions of retail businesses start in their owners’ homes. Some may eventually move to a commercial store location, while many remain in the business owner’s spare room, especially if the business primarily operates online or works with distributors.

Pros of Home-Based Retail

Inexpensive to startFlexibility balancing work and family life

Cons of Home-Based Retail

Regulations can restrict use of space, accessory structures, or number of customers you can have on-site at onceLack of parkingDifficulty separating work and family lifeLimited room to grow/expand

What Makes Home-Based Retail Stores Work

Home business-friendly local ordinances and zoningSeparate phone line and entranceRegular business hoursA plan for growth

Choosing a Brick and Mortar Retail Space

As consumer shopping patterns change, businesses also have to choose their location carefully. In many regions, retail store closures have increased since the Great Recession in 2008. Across the United States, there were 5,864 store closures in 2018; that number rose to more than 7,000 stores that closed in 2019.

However, additional retail spaces also opened up during each year, and many consumers still want to do their shopping in-person. Even among millennials, the generation often accused of ushering in the downfall of brick-and-mortar retail, more than 80 percent of consumers prefer to shop in stores.

Brick and mortar retail spaces are still a good choice for many businesses. The key to creating a sustainable business model is finding the right kind of retail space for your business, customers, and community.

Commercial retail locations are available in many different forms, and each one has its advantage and disadvantages. There are many factors that impact choosing a location, and selecting the right one will depend on your business, budget, and community.

For a brick and mortar business, choosing a retail location is a major decision. From the cost of rent to the level of foot traffic to regulations you must follow, the type of retail space you select can impact many aspects of your business.

Mall Space

From kiosks to large anchor stores, a mall has many retailers competing with each other under one roof. In a mall, there are generally three to five large chain stores and dozens of smaller retail shops.

Before selecting this type of location, learn about local trends in mall shopping and how that particular mall is doing before you agree to rent space there. Overall, mall shopping has declined since the Great Recession, and in the United States, the number of store closures is increasing yearly. However, many malls expect to see growth, adding experiential attractions to bring in new customers and drive foot traffic.

Pros of Mall Space

Lots of foot trafficAnchor of community shoppingLess advertising needed for customers to find you

Cons of Mall Space

Immediate competition from other storesRegulations and rules from mall managementHigher rent than other retail locations

What Makes Mall Retail Work

Shopper demographics that match your target customers Adaptations to attract customers, such as pop-up events Anchor stores that are doing well Low turnover/few empty stores

Shopping Centers

Strip malls and other attached, adjoining retail locations may have as few as three units or as many as 20. The types of retailers and the goods or services they offer will also vary. Before signing a lease, always investigate both the availability of parking and any regulations that the property has for retailers.

Pros of Shopping Centers

Fewer rules and regulations for retailersHigh visibility from streetLower rent than many mallsOften served by bus routes/public transit

Cons of Shopping Centers

Less foot trafficParking can limit accessibilityLack of modern facilities and updates

What Makes Shopping Center Retail Work

Plenty of parkingFew empty store-frontsA variety of stores and restaurants to attract customersModernized and updated buildings

Downtown Area

Many communities are hard at work to revitalize their downtown areas, and retailers can benefit from this effort. You’ll often find many older, well-established retailers in a downtown area. Because space is usually limited, these locations are often good choices for smaller or specialty stores. However, there are chains and big-box retailers that can make use of downtown retail locations, especially if they are willing to build up rather than out.

Pros of Downtown Areas

More freedom/fewer rules for business ownersAttractive to younger customers who prefer urban livingHeavy foot traffic

Cons of Downtown Areas

Expensive or limited customer parkingHigh rentLimited ability to expand/adapt your space

What Makes Downtown Retail Work

Public investment in revitalizing downtown spacesRegular downtown events to attract residents and visitorsWell-maintained/updated buildingsAccessible parking

Free Standing Retail Locations

This type of retail location is any stand-alone building. It can be tucked away in a neighborhood or right off a busy highway. Free-standing locations come in many sizes and can be appropriate for any type of retail business.

Pros of Free Standing Retail

Few or no restrictions from landlordsReasonable cost per square footLimited immediate competition

Cons of Free Standing Retail

Local zoning may restrict retail activities Lack of foot traffic Requires regular marketing to attract customers

What Makes Free Standing Retail Work

Dedicated parkingEasily accessible from major roadsNear other retail or residential areas

Business Parks

An office building, or a business park where many office buildings are grouped together, is similar to a strip mall or outdoor retail center. These are often good options for a retailer whose customers are other businesses.

Pros of Business Parks

Tenants share maintenance costsBuildings have an upscale and professional appearanceEasily accessible to other tenants

Cons of Business Parks

Lack of foot trafficCorporate feel less suited to B2C businessesLack of visibility for storefronts/signs

What Makes Retail Business Parks Work

Plenty of parkingWell-maintained outdoor spacesPlenty of tenants in the building with few empty stores

Home-based Retail Stores

Millions of retail businesses start in their owners’ homes. Some may eventually move to a commercial store location, while many remain in the business owner’s spare room, especially if the business primarily operates online or works with distributors.

Pros of Home-Based Retail

Inexpensive to startFlexibility balancing work and family life

Cons of Home-Based Retail

Regulations can restrict use of space, accessory structures, or number of customers you can have on-site at onceLack of parkingDifficulty separating work and family lifeLimited room to grow/expand

What Makes Home-Based Retail Stores Work

Home business-friendly local ordinances and zoningSeparate phone line and entranceRegular business hoursA plan for growth

Choosing a Brick and Mortar Retail Space

As consumer shopping patterns change, businesses also have to choose their location carefully. In many regions, retail store closures have increased since the Great Recession in 2008. Across the United States, there were 5,864 store closures in 2018; that number rose to more than 7,000 stores that closed in 2019.

However, additional retail spaces also opened up during each year, and many consumers still want to do their shopping in-person. Even among millennials, the generation often accused of ushering in the downfall of brick-and-mortar retail, more than 80 percent of consumers prefer to shop in stores.

Brick and mortar retail spaces are still a good choice for many businesses. The key to creating a sustainable business model is finding the right kind of retail space for your business, customers, and community.

Commercial retail locations are available in many different forms, and each one has its advantage and disadvantages. There are many factors that impact choosing a location, and selecting the right one will depend on your business, budget, and community.

For a brick and mortar business, choosing a retail location is a major decision. From the cost of rent to the level of foot traffic to regulations you must follow, the type of retail space you select can impact many aspects of your business.

Mall Space

From kiosks to large anchor stores, a mall has many retailers competing with each other under one roof. In a mall, there are generally three to five large chain stores and dozens of smaller retail shops.

Before selecting this type of location, learn about local trends in mall shopping and how that particular mall is doing before you agree to rent space there. Overall, mall shopping has declined since the Great Recession, and in the United States, the number of store closures is increasing yearly. However, many malls expect to see growth, adding experiential attractions to bring in new customers and drive foot traffic.

Pros of Mall Space

Lots of foot trafficAnchor of community shoppingLess advertising needed for customers to find you

Cons of Mall Space

Immediate competition from other storesRegulations and rules from mall managementHigher rent than other retail locations

What Makes Mall Retail Work

Shopper demographics that match your target customers Adaptations to attract customers, such as pop-up events Anchor stores that are doing well Low turnover/few empty stores

Shopping Centers

Strip malls and other attached, adjoining retail locations may have as few as three units or as many as 20. The types of retailers and the goods or services they offer will also vary. Before signing a lease, always investigate both the availability of parking and any regulations that the property has for retailers.

Pros of Shopping Centers

Fewer rules and regulations for retailersHigh visibility from streetLower rent than many mallsOften served by bus routes/public transit

Cons of Shopping Centers

Less foot trafficParking can limit accessibilityLack of modern facilities and updates

What Makes Shopping Center Retail Work

Plenty of parkingFew empty store-frontsA variety of stores and restaurants to attract customersModernized and updated buildings

Downtown Area

Many communities are hard at work to revitalize their downtown areas, and retailers can benefit from this effort. You’ll often find many older, well-established retailers in a downtown area. Because space is usually limited, these locations are often good choices for smaller or specialty stores. However, there are chains and big-box retailers that can make use of downtown retail locations, especially if they are willing to build up rather than out.

Pros of Downtown Areas

More freedom/fewer rules for business ownersAttractive to younger customers who prefer urban livingHeavy foot traffic

Cons of Downtown Areas

Expensive or limited customer parkingHigh rentLimited ability to expand/adapt your space

What Makes Downtown Retail Work

Public investment in revitalizing downtown spacesRegular downtown events to attract residents and visitorsWell-maintained/updated buildingsAccessible parking

Free Standing Retail Locations

This type of retail location is any stand-alone building. It can be tucked away in a neighborhood or right off a busy highway. Free-standing locations come in many sizes and can be appropriate for any type of retail business.

Pros of Free Standing Retail

Few or no restrictions from landlordsReasonable cost per square footLimited immediate competition

Cons of Free Standing Retail

Local zoning may restrict retail activities Lack of foot traffic Requires regular marketing to attract customers

What Makes Free Standing Retail Work

Dedicated parkingEasily accessible from major roadsNear other retail or residential areas

Business Parks

An office building, or a business park where many office buildings are grouped together, is similar to a strip mall or outdoor retail center. These are often good options for a retailer whose customers are other businesses.

Pros of Business Parks

Tenants share maintenance costsBuildings have an upscale and professional appearanceEasily accessible to other tenants

Cons of Business Parks

Lack of foot trafficCorporate feel less suited to B2C businessesLack of visibility for storefronts/signs

What Makes Retail Business Parks Work

Plenty of parkingWell-maintained outdoor spacesPlenty of tenants in the building with few empty stores

Home-based Retail Stores

Millions of retail businesses start in their owners’ homes. Some may eventually move to a commercial store location, while many remain in the business owner’s spare room, especially if the business primarily operates online or works with distributors.

Pros of Home-Based Retail

Inexpensive to startFlexibility balancing work and family life

Cons of Home-Based Retail

Regulations can restrict use of space, accessory structures, or number of customers you can have on-site at onceLack of parkingDifficulty separating work and family lifeLimited room to grow/expand

What Makes Home-Based Retail Stores Work

Home business-friendly local ordinances and zoningSeparate phone line and entranceRegular business hoursA plan for growth

Choosing a Brick and Mortar Retail Space

As consumer shopping patterns change, businesses also have to choose their location carefully. In many regions, retail store closures have increased since the Great Recession in 2008. Across the United States, there were 5,864 store closures in 2018; that number rose to more than 7,000 stores that closed in 2019.

However, additional retail spaces also opened up during each year, and many consumers still want to do their shopping in-person. Even among millennials, the generation often accused of ushering in the downfall of brick-and-mortar retail, more than 80 percent of consumers prefer to shop in stores.

Brick and mortar retail spaces are still a good choice for many businesses. The key to creating a sustainable business model is finding the right kind of retail space for your business, customers, and community.

Commercial retail locations are available in many different forms, and each one has its advantage and disadvantages. There are many factors that impact choosing a location, and selecting the right one will depend on your business, budget, and community.

For a brick and mortar business, choosing a retail location is a major decision. From the cost of rent to the level of foot traffic to regulations you must follow, the type of retail space you select can impact many aspects of your business.

Mall Space

From kiosks to large anchor stores, a mall has many retailers competing with each other under one roof. In a mall, there are generally three to five large chain stores and dozens of smaller retail shops.

Before selecting this type of location, learn about local trends in mall shopping and how that particular mall is doing before you agree to rent space there. Overall, mall shopping has declined since the Great Recession, and in the United States, the number of store closures is increasing yearly. However, many malls expect to see growth, adding experiential attractions to bring in new customers and drive foot traffic.

Pros of Mall Space

  • Lots of foot trafficAnchor of community shoppingLess advertising needed for customers to find you

Cons of Mall Space

  • Immediate competition from other storesRegulations and rules from mall managementHigher rent than other retail locations

What Makes Mall Retail Work

Shopper demographics that match your target customers Adaptations to attract customers, such as pop-up events Anchor stores that are doing well Low turnover/few empty stores

Shopping Centers

Strip malls and other attached, adjoining retail locations may have as few as three units or as many as 20. The types of retailers and the goods or services they offer will also vary. Before signing a lease, always investigate both the availability of parking and any regulations that the property has for retailers.

What Makes Mall Retail Work

Shopper demographics that match your target customers Adaptations to attract customers, such as pop-up events Anchor stores that are doing well Low turnover/few empty stores

  • Shopper demographics that match your target customers
  • Adaptations to attract customers, such as pop-up events
  • Anchor stores that are doing well
  • Low turnover/few empty stores

Pros of Shopping Centers

  • Fewer rules and regulations for retailersHigh visibility from streetLower rent than many mallsOften served by bus routes/public transit

Cons of Shopping Centers

  • Less foot trafficParking can limit accessibilityLack of modern facilities and updates

What Makes Shopping Center Retail Work

Plenty of parkingFew empty store-frontsA variety of stores and restaurants to attract customersModernized and updated buildings

Downtown Area

Many communities are hard at work to revitalize their downtown areas, and retailers can benefit from this effort. You’ll often find many older, well-established retailers in a downtown area. Because space is usually limited, these locations are often good choices for smaller or specialty stores. However, there are chains and big-box retailers that can make use of downtown retail locations, especially if they are willing to build up rather than out.

What Makes Shopping Center Retail Work

Plenty of parkingFew empty store-frontsA variety of stores and restaurants to attract customersModernized and updated buildings

  • Plenty of parkingFew empty store-frontsA variety of stores and restaurants to attract customersModernized and updated buildings

Pros of Downtown Areas

  • More freedom/fewer rules for business ownersAttractive to younger customers who prefer urban livingHeavy foot traffic

Cons of Downtown Areas

  • Expensive or limited customer parkingHigh rentLimited ability to expand/adapt your space

What Makes Downtown Retail Work

Public investment in revitalizing downtown spacesRegular downtown events to attract residents and visitorsWell-maintained/updated buildingsAccessible parking

Free Standing Retail Locations

This type of retail location is any stand-alone building. It can be tucked away in a neighborhood or right off a busy highway. Free-standing locations come in many sizes and can be appropriate for any type of retail business.

What Makes Downtown Retail Work

Public investment in revitalizing downtown spacesRegular downtown events to attract residents and visitorsWell-maintained/updated buildingsAccessible parking

  • Public investment in revitalizing downtown spacesRegular downtown events to attract residents and visitorsWell-maintained/updated buildingsAccessible parking

Pros of Free Standing Retail

  • Few or no restrictions from landlordsReasonable cost per square footLimited immediate competition

Cons of Free Standing Retail

  • Local zoning may restrict retail activities
  • Lack of foot traffic
  • Requires regular marketing to attract customers

What Makes Free Standing Retail Work

Dedicated parkingEasily accessible from major roadsNear other retail or residential areas

Business Parks

An office building, or a business park where many office buildings are grouped together, is similar to a strip mall or outdoor retail center. These are often good options for a retailer whose customers are other businesses.

What Makes Free Standing Retail Work

Dedicated parkingEasily accessible from major roadsNear other retail or residential areas

  • Dedicated parkingEasily accessible from major roadsNear other retail or residential areas

Pros of Business Parks

  • Tenants share maintenance costsBuildings have an upscale and professional appearanceEasily accessible to other tenants

Cons of Business Parks

  • Lack of foot trafficCorporate feel less suited to B2C businessesLack of visibility for storefronts/signs

What Makes Retail Business Parks Work

Plenty of parkingWell-maintained outdoor spacesPlenty of tenants in the building with few empty stores

Home-based Retail Stores

Millions of retail businesses start in their owners’ homes. Some may eventually move to a commercial store location, while many remain in the business owner’s spare room, especially if the business primarily operates online or works with distributors.

What Makes Retail Business Parks Work

Plenty of parkingWell-maintained outdoor spacesPlenty of tenants in the building with few empty stores

  • Plenty of parkingWell-maintained outdoor spacesPlenty of tenants in the building with few empty stores

Pros of Home-Based Retail

  • Inexpensive to startFlexibility balancing work and family life

Cons of Home-Based Retail

  • Regulations can restrict use of space, accessory structures, or number of customers you can have on-site at onceLack of parkingDifficulty separating work and family lifeLimited room to grow/expand

What Makes Home-Based Retail Stores Work

Home business-friendly local ordinances and zoningSeparate phone line and entranceRegular business hoursA plan for growth

Choosing a Brick and Mortar Retail Space

As consumer shopping patterns change, businesses also have to choose their location carefully. In many regions, retail store closures have increased since the Great Recession in 2008. Across the United States, there were 5,864 store closures in 2018; that number rose to more than 7,000 stores that closed in 2019.

What Makes Home-Based Retail Stores Work

Home business-friendly local ordinances and zoningSeparate phone line and entranceRegular business hoursA plan for growth

  • Home business-friendly local ordinances and zoningSeparate phone line and entranceRegular business hoursA plan for growth

However, additional retail spaces also opened up during each year, and many consumers still want to do their shopping in-person. Even among millennials, the generation often accused of ushering in the downfall of brick-and-mortar retail, more than 80 percent of consumers prefer to shop in stores.

Brick and mortar retail spaces are still a good choice for many businesses. The key to creating a sustainable business model is finding the right kind of retail space for your business, customers, and community.