While the Boston retail market has remained fairly stable during the past year, slowing housing market conditions and cooling employment are beginning to weaken consumer spending, according to a second-quarter Retail Research Report by Marcus & Millichap. Core retail properties are expected to remain stable investments this year. Some of the most significant aspects of the report are:
· Local employers are forecast to add 12,200 positions in 2008, an increase of 0.6 percent.
· Developers are expected to construct 2.1 million square feet of new retail space this year, compared with 1.9 million square feet in 2007.
· Vacancy is projected to end the year at 5.8 percent.
· Asking rents are predicted to increase 1.5 percent to $21.88 per square foot.
· Effective rents will rise 1.4 percent to $20.47 per square foot.









