Retail's Next Chapter Shifts to Convenience
LAS VEGAS—The best way to label the sentiment during ICSC Las Vegas 2026 is confidence, at least in the short-term retail, as the focus shifts to convenience despite the ongoing geopolitical concerns.
Within all panels, networking parties and meetings, one theme that kept surfacing was that retail is all about service, speed and daily relevance.
Jason Baker, principal at Houston-based Baker Katz, described the current sector's landscape as one that's rapidly evolving away from traditional formats and more toward convenience-driven experiences. Consumers want places that fit seamlessly into their routines, such as quick-service retail, fitness studios, beauty concepts, healthcare providers and restaurants that prioritize efficiency without sacrificing variety.
One of the more talked-about examples was Wonder, the fast-growing multi-concept dining platform expanding across the Northeast. Instead of choosing one restaurant, customers can order from multiple brands in a single transaction. This model is an example of how convenience is reshaping consumer expectations.
Baker tells GlobeSt.com that the concept is still early, but its rapid expansion signals a willingness among consumers to experiment with entirely new dining formats.
What stood out most at ICSC was momentum. In Texas, especially, Baker said confidence in retail real estate remains strong, with new construction continuing to rise out of the ground. The projects attracting the most attention are the ones powered by business folks who visit weekly and sometimes daily.
The takeaway from the convention floor was that the future of retail belongs to concepts that become part of consumers' lifestyles.
Check back with GlobeSt.com for more as we lead up to the event and check out the stories below you might have missed.
Retail Real Estate's New Playbook Emerges at ICSC Las Vegas 2026
ICSC Las Vegas Preview: 'Frictional Leasing' Reshapes Hunt for Prime Retail Space
Grocery-Anchored Centers Loosen Rules to Backfill Empty Space
Retail Investors Shift Focus to Reliable Returns and Tight Supply
Capital Returns to Shopping Centers as Market Conditions Improve
Neighborhood Retail Gains Momentum Ahead of ICSC Las Vegas
Retail Real Estate Shifts Toward Smaller Stores and Prime Locations
Source: GlobeSt/ALM