Shopping malls and retail strip centers have been declining for many years. How many empty spaces did you see in your local mall the last time you visited? Have you seen any new malls or strip centers being constructed recently? Main streets across America have also had vacant storefronts for a long period of time.
The uncertain effects of larger economic trends may be part of the reason for analysts at finance firms to be lowering their price targets for these real estate investment trusts (REITs). If you own property, you are concerned about inflation and interest rates, and REITs whose business models are also dependent on such factors.