The unfavorable outlook on retail properties will likely get worse in early 2009, when
the dismal holiday sales season is expected to bring about a dramatic number of new bankruptcies and store closings.
Many analysts were unimpressed with the 1 % increase considering Macy's
dismal 2016
season which would make comparisons easier to beat, as well as the overall strong
holiday season for retailers at large: retail
sales in the U.S. rose 4.9 % between Nov. 1 and December 24, their best result since, 2011, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse.