Columbus Retail Market Report

New concepts temper retail churn. Roughly 300,000 square feet of first-half move-outs lifted Columbus’ retail vacancy 40 basis points to a still-low 3.8 percent, as legacy retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue exited space. Yet a record-low 200,000-square-foot delivery slate in 2026 and active discount, home goods, and grocery leasing should limit further pressure. Sprouts and Aldi are set to enter Columbus, while the metro’s test-market status is drawing Bed Bath & Beyond and The Container Store’s co-branded shop, Michaels’ experiential concept, and Wayfair’s smaller-format prototype. A young consumer base, central location, and diverse economy support that role, while retail sales growth should stay among the Midwest’s strongest after ranking fifth nationally in 2025.