Impact of Back-to-School Season on CRE

Resumption of In-Person Learning a Catalyst for Commercial Real Estate

August, 2021

The start of the academic year will unlock employment growth potential as nearly 2 million workers sidelined by child-care challenges are able to return to the labor force. College campus reopenings will also support hospitality, retail, and education-related job creation while boosting multifamily demand.

Report Highlights:

• Investment Outlook for Campus-Adjacent Properties Elevated by Falling Vacancy and Surging Rents

• Back-to-School Spending and Households’ Cash Reserves a Boon for Brick-and-Mortar Stores

• Mounting Orders for School Supplies and Apparel Augment Already-Robust Industrial Demand

• Return of Fans Provides Financial Boost to College Town Businesses and Generates Local Hiring

• Historically Reliable Demand Drivers Improve, Highlighting Transitional Period for Self-Storage