Fort Lauderdale Retail Market Report

Space demand bumpy but improved. The metro’s retail sector recorded noteworthy net absorption during the first quarter of this year; however, an uptick in net relinquishments was apparent during the subsequent three months. Still, Fort Lauderdale registered positive net absorption in the first half, the only major Florida market to make this claim. Moving forward, local demand will continue to be tested as Broward County is one of 16 major markets nationally that is slated to see a year-over-year increase in deliveries during 2025. In the near term, this supply pressure may win out over a slim margin of recovering demand, but steady leasing activity will minimize local vacancy rate increases and average asking rent reductions.