Houston Retail Market Remains Healthy as Retail Demand Fills Existing, New Spaces

Houston’s retail market as of mid-year 2026 reported healthy marketwide occupancy of 95.2 percent, largely due to highly occupied new development in combination with expanding retailers absorbing existing vacancies. 

Additionally, the market is seeing limited chain closings. 

The findings are based on Weitzman’s review of Houston’s retail inventory, totaling 168.9 million square feet across multi-tenant retail projects with 25,000 square feet or more.  Based on projects delivered or scheduled, the market is on track to deliver approximately 1.8 million square feet of new and expanded retail space. By comparison, the market in 2025 delivered 1.2 million square feet. 

Deliveries remain on the conservative side, especially for a tight retail market serving one of the country’s most robust major metropolitan areas. Deliveries in the greater Houston market are primarily for anchor and junior anchor retailers, with the new space adding to overall occupied inventory.

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