Retail Retold · 2026-05-29 · 32 min
The predictions that looked a lot more like reality on the show floor. Everyone arrives at ICSC with predictions. The real question is which ones survive contact with 25,000 people on the show floor. Chris Ressa and CBRE's Karly Iacono weren't just attending ICSC Las Vegas. They were in the middle of it. Between meetings, deal discussions, and serving as panelists at the inaugural ICSC+PROPTech event, they had a front-row seat to the conversations shaping retail real estate in 2026. One of the biggest takeaways? The relationship between cap rates and interest rates is no longer as straightforward as many expected. Despite elevated borrowing costs, strong demand for retail assets continues to support pricing. With more capital chasing a limited supply of quality opportunities, retail fundamentals are increasingly driving investment decisions. That reality reinforces another trend both hosts have been watching closely: the rise of the operator. Rather than relying on financial engineering, investors are focused on creating value through leasing, rent growth, and hands-on asset management. In today's market, execution matters.
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