10/06/2026
Fewer square feet sold. Way more dollars invested. That's SoCal retail right now.
NAI Capital's H1 2026 numbers:
- $3.52B in retail investment sales, up 62% year over year
- Square footage traded down 28%
- Orange County retail vacancy at 3.8%
- Inland Empire vacancy down to 5.9% from 6.3%
What it means:
Investors: buyers are paying more per foot for grocery-anchored and service-oriented centers. Underwrite carefully.
Sellers: buyer and seller pricing is lining up, and well-located retail is moving.
Business owners: tight vacancy means less room to negotiate on good space. Start your lease search early.
(Source: NAI Capital via Commercial Observer, July 16, 2026)
Save this for your next investor conversation. Which SoCal retail submarket do you think has the most room to run? Tell me below.
Buying, leasing or selling commercial space? DM me or call 714-660-7022.
Arul Joseph | BHHS | CA DRE 02247560 | Arul Joseph