New Haven-Fairfield County Retail Market Report

Robust consumer spending attracts new businesses. A noteworthy proportion of high-income households translated to a swift retail recovery in the wake of the health crisis, creating an ideal environment for vendors seeking to establish a regional foothold or experiment with new retail concepts. Wegmans has scheduled its first Connecticut operation to open in Norwalk later this year. Amazon has also proposed two of its Fresh storefronts to be built across Fairfield County, in addition to a location underway in Brookfield. In New Haven County, leasing thus far in 2022 has been dominated by national brands. Companies like Old Navy, Planet Fitness and CVS Pharmacy have moved into 10,000-plus-square-foot spaces in the market's eastern half. A slow pace of supply additions here could translate to some competition among larger retailers seeking space in the county.