Commercial Construction & Renovation

The average vacancy rate at all U.S. retail properties fell to 10.5 percent in the second quarter from 10.6 percent in the first, and malls hit a four-year low of 8.3 percent during the second quarter, according to a report from research firm Reis. Properties haven’t yet returned to pre-recession rates, and while some retail experts say it’s tougher this time around because of online retail rivals, landlords say many brick-and-mortar stores are fighting back by stocking goods and services that aren’t easily sold online. Read The Wall Street Journal story here.