CBRE’s Arlin Markowitz says Toronto’s retail landscape is being redefined by the rise of contemporary fashion and a boom in athleisure brands. “Much of the vacancy in the city’s key shopping nodes like Bloor-Yorkville, the Ossington Avenue strip and Yorkdale Shopping Centre is being backfilled by contemporary fashion and athleisure retailers,” he says. “Both categories are poised to have… View Article
From The Toronto Star: Athleisure, wellness and beauty dominated Toronto retail leases in 2025, as demand for space in the city remained strong and rents in high-traffic areas continued to rise, despite volatility at the start of 2025. At the same time, value-based retailers like Winners found success absorbing demand from cost-conscious consumers, according to CBRE’s… View Article
Turning local knowledge into a commercial advantage Markowitz began working in the shoe business but decided it wasn’t for him, and he wanted to get into real estate. But rather than residential, he thought, “Why not do what I already know, which is retail and commercial?” He said he began not just with a commercial… View Article
Social media exposure and a desire for higher visibility are prompting some health and wellness service providers to move from offices to urban street-front retail locations, according to Toronto-based CBRE broker and urban retail team vice-president Jackson Turner. Moreover, developers and landlords see them as attractive tenants. “Medical and health and wellness operators are a destination,” Turner… View Article