Colliers Report: Columbia Retail Market Q3 2025

Colliers | South Carolina Market Report

Grocers expand as high costs counter leasing growth

Market Highlights

The Columbia retail market remained stable as leasing velocity and rent growth stalled amidst an environment in which accelerating regional population and wage growth have been countered by a challenging macroeconomic environment. Tenant upfit costs and new construction alike have proven challenging, particularly for a restaurant segment squeezed by tightening margins and rising liquor liability costs. For essential retail sectors such as grocery and fitness, however, demand remains strong.

Continue reading the full report.

Key Takeaways

• Grocery-anchored new construction continues to thrive on the market’s expanding periphery
• Full-service restaurants challenged by spiking liquor liability insurance and high construction costs
• Demographic trends are highly favorable behind accelerating population and high-wage employment growth

About Colliers

Colliers | South Carolina is the largest full-service commercial real estate firm in South Carolina with 66 licensed real estate professionals covering the state with locations in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg. Colliers is an Accredited Management Organization (AMO) through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and is the largest manager of commercial real estate properties in South Carolina with a portfolio of over 26 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and healthcare properties. Colliers’ staff hold the most professional designations of any firm in South Carolina. Colliers | South Carolina’s partner, LCK, provides project management services for new facilities and renovations across South Carolina.

Colliers is a global diversified professional services and investment management company. Operating through three industry-leading platforms – Real Estate Services, Engineering and Investment Management – we have a proven business model, an enterprising culture and a unique partnership philosophy that drives growth and value creation. With over $5.0 billion in annual revenues, a team of 24,000 professionals, and more than $100 billion in assets under management, Colliers remains committed to accelerating the success of our clients, investors and people worldwide. Learn more at corporate.colliers.com, X @Colliers or LinkedIn