While much of the industry was in lockdown last year, grocery stores and other essential retailers continued to hum along nicely, albeit with shopper restrictions. Beyond day-to-day operations, most traditional grocers in Orange County (Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons, etc.) slowed or halted store expansions while capital was funneled to developing and improving online ordering platforms.

“Additionally, upscale/specialty grocers and ethnic grocers continued expansion in Orange County, albeit cautiously as evidenced by recent announcements by Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, H Mart and others,” says Justin McMahon, JLL vice president in Orange County. “Leasing demand at grocery-anchored shopping centers in Orange County remains high due to the traffic created, well outpacing non-grocery-anchored properties.”