"What our research shows, and what is playing out in shopping centers across America, is that there is a growing market for retailers that appeal to niche interests and experiences. This trend reinforces the fact that people with common interests are eager to gather and engage in activities that allow them to form connections and relationships. ... It’s also a prime example of how savvy retailers are curating truly unique atmospheres that can only be experienced in the physical realm."

Ashley Casey of Phillips Edison & Co., a real estate investment trust (REIT), in a recent statement the firm issued about the “top retail shopping center trends to watch in 2020.”