The Great Retail Shift: Why Smart CRE Players Are Getting Ahead of the Demographic Curve

January 12, 2026 By Julia Borgini

Online shopping is booming. The combination of tech-savvy consumers, mobile devices, and retailer apps means that we’re not physically visiting retail locations as often anymore. That’s why many retailers have started to reduce their footprint and invest more in warehousing and logistics.

But it goes further than that. For commercial real estate owners, brokers, and developers, these retail shifts present both a challenge and a massive opportunity. A chance to evolve and revolutionize retail spaces for what people want and need. The question isn’t whether retail spaces need to evolve; the question is whether they can.

The Demographic Data Advantage: Spotting Shifts Before They Happen

Instead of waiting for obvious signs, such as empty storefronts and declining foot traffic, commercial real estate (CRE) professionals are using new tools to make changes before they feel the impact. Smart CRE pros separate themselves from the competition by using demographic data to pinpoint areas where retail transformation is inevitable.

EASI’s demographic analytics can reveal patterns that aren’t immediately visible in the retail sector. Maybe an area shows a growing population of tech-savvy millennials with high disposable income but low retail engagement. Perhaps there’s a concentration of busy families who value convenience over traditional shopping experiences. Knowing who is in an area and tracking their behaviors with demographic data can help identify transformation opportunities before the competition even realizes change is coming.

The key is looking beyond basic population counts. EASI’s Life Stages data breaks down communities into distinct behavioral cohorts. Are you dealing with time-pressed families who prioritize convenience? Or perhaps active seniors who want social interaction, but with accessibility considerations. Maybe an area shows low retail lease rates with higher empty storefronts in malls and mini-malls. Each group and area represents different transformation opportunities.

From Shopping Centers to Experience Destinations

Traditional shopping centers are prime candidates for transformation into experiential destinations. People still crave social experiences and entertainment; they might not think of doing that in the same place they shop for socks or small appliances.

Smart developers are reimagining these spaces as community hubs featuring:

Live entertainment venues for concerts, comedy shows, and speakers
Interactive amusement areas and escape rooms
Indoor play centers that give parents a break while kids burn energy
Licensed social areas where adults enjoy a drink
Educational workshops and maker spaces
Fitness and wellness centers

The key is in understanding the local demographic mix. EASI’s age and lifestyle data help determine which experiences will resonate and which areas would work best for each group. For example, the EASI Detailed Summary report for Adams County, Pennsylvania, shows that just over 20% of the population is between 18 and 34 years old, the average annual income is $93,759, and 65.5% of married families have no children under 18. This could be a good opportunity to add some experiential facilities in empty retail locations for these age groups. They have good income and possibly enough disposable income to spend it on events, entertainment, and maker spaces.

Transforming Retail to Warehouse

Looking beyond the experience center, some retail locations are perfect candidates for logistics and fulfillment operations. The same demographic shift driving online shopping is creating massive demand for last-mile delivery infrastructure.

Retail locations that have shifted to mostly online orders often have ideal characteristics for logistics operations. They’re typically located in populated areas with good transportation access. Many already have loading docks and flexible floor plans that can accommodate warehouse functions.

The key is identifying which retail locations are most likely to struggle with traditional models. Demographic data reveals shopping patterns, age distributions, and lifestyle preferences that predict retail vulnerability. Areas with high concentrations of busy professionals, tech workers, or convenience-focused consumers are prime candidates for retail-to-logistics conversions. Speed up last-mile delivery by using these as delivery hubs for people commuting in the area, reducing return rates and decreasing delivery theft.

Flexibility is the Future: Designing for Demographic Change

The most successful commercial real estate investments will be those that anticipate change rather than react to it. This means designing spaces with modular layouts that can transition from commercial to retail to co-working spaces with minimal restructuring.

For example, retailers and asset managers should consider spaces that can easily reconfigure for different uses.

Open floor plans with movable walls
Flexible utility systems that support various operational needs
Parking and access that work for different traffic patterns

These design considerations cost little upfront but provide enormous adaptability as demographics shift. EASI’s demographic projections can help commercial real estate owners design for tomorrow’s needs before things need to change. Be proactive in catering to future needs to sustain revenues and usage.

Community-Centric Development: Meeting Demographic Desires

The most attractive properties will be those that foster community and align with the lifestyle demands of specific demographic cohorts. This isn’t about one-size-fits-all solutions, but rather, about understanding your target market deeply.

Millennials and Gen Z place a high value on sustainability, technology integration, and work-life balance. They seek spaces that align with their values and lifestyle preferences, such as green building features, high-speed connectivity, flexible work areas, and outdoor spaces that encourage social interaction.

Aging populations have different priorities. They look for accessible, health-focused spaces that support and promote active and social living. This might involve wider walkways, improved lighting, proximity to healthcare services, and programming that fosters social connections.

Understanding these preferences through demographic analysis helps you create spaces that don’t just fill square footage; they also cater to the needs of the people who inhabit them.

Combining Internal Data with EASI Data

The real competitive advantage comes from combining your internal performance data with EASI’s comprehensive demographic data. Your leasing data, foot traffic patterns, and tenant performance metrics tell you what’s happening in your properties. EASI’s demographic data tells you why it’s happening and what’s likely to happen next.

This combination helps you:

Identify underperforming locations before problems become obvious
Spot emerging opportunities in areas your competitors haven’t noticed
Design tenant mixes and amenities that align with demographic trends
Make renovation and development decisions based on future projections, not just current conditions

For example, if your internal data shows declining traditional retail performance but EASI’s data reveals growing populations of experience-seeking demographics, that’s a clear signal to pivot toward entertainment and experiential offerings.

Getting Ahead of the Curve

The retail transformation isn’t coming. It’s already here. Commercial real estate professionals who understand how to read demographic data and translate it into actionable property strategies will capture the biggest opportunities.

The future belongs to flexible, data-driven property strategies. Start by analyzing your current portfolio through a demographic lens and identifying transformation opportunities that align with your demographic insights. Smart commercial real estate professionals are already using this intelligence to stay ahead of the curve.

Reach out to EASI to get the demographic data to transform your commercial real estate project into the go-to destination in any community.