2026 Mid-Year Review: Wilder

Wilder
Headquarters: Boston, MA
Services: Management & Leasing
States Served: Eastern Seaboard
www.Wilderco.com

What projects, initiatives, or types of work have been keeping your team busiest during the first half of 2026?
In the first half of 2026, our teams have been primarily focused on acquiring and repositioning retail properties, with a strong emphasis on creating long-term value through our integrated operating platform. Across Wilder, our leasing, management, marketing, and development teams work in close collaboration to unlock each property’s full potential and drive performance. At the same time, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the broader market landscape and emerging trends to ensure we’re positioning our assets, our partners, and our clients for what’s ahead. What’s really made the difference is how deeply each team leans into its area of expertise – bringing specialized insight, creativity, and execution to every project. That depth of focus, combined with our highly coordinated approach, enables us to deliver meaningful results for our clients and partners while supporting sustained growth.

What trends or shifts have stood out most to you so far this year within your industry?
One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen this year is a meaningful change in how investment capital views retail – particularly suburban, open-air assets. What was once considered contrarian is now widely accepted, with these properties delivering some of the most attractive risk-adjusted returns in commercial real estate. As a result, our long-standing conviction around retail and mixed-use developments has come into sharper focus, and we’re helping lead within our corner of the industry with that investment thesis.

At the same time, investor interest has grown as it’s become clear that retail is not a passive asset class – it requires deep experience and active management. That has increased demand for specialized operators like Wilder, with partners and clients seeking platforms that can navigate complexity and still unlock value.

What challenges or opportunities have had the biggest impact on your business during the first half of 2026?
One of the most notable dynamics in the first half of 2026 has been increased competition in the capital markets, with more groups entering the retail acquisition space as conviction in the sector grows. This has created a more competitive environment overall. At the same time, retail fundamentals are the strongest they’ve been in over 20 years, reinforcing investor interest.

We view this as both validation and an opportunity to differentiate. Wilder’s deep expertise in retail and mixed-use real estate positions us to navigate tighter conditions with discipline and clarity – we know where to look, how to underwrite, and how to execute in ways that drive value.

Even in a more crowded market, we continue to identify opportunities that deliver meaningful upside and attractive, risk-adjusted returns for our partners.

As we look ahead to the second half of the year, what are you watching most closely?
As we look ahead to the second half of the year, we’re closely tracking the retail trends that shape our investment thesis. We take a proactive, data-driven approach – analyzing consumer activity and demographics to inform decision-making and refine our strategy.

We’re focused on grocer competition and its impact on traffic and center performance, as well as shifts in consumer spending across essential and experiential categories like food and fitness. We’re also evaluating the sustainability and long-term role of entertainment and other emerging uses within our portfolio. Staying grounded in these dynamics allows us to remain disciplined, forward-looking, and well-positioned for long-term success.