More Than Half of Retailers Optimistic About Rest of Year

Despite relatively flat sales, the majority of retailers remain optimistic about the last half of 2011, according to the results of a survey by shopping center owner Levin Management Corp. The mid-year survey of 1,000 of the group’s tenants found that about half of the respondents reported a sales decline for the six months through June 2011 and half reported sales were “the same” or “better” compared with the first six months of 2010. Customer traffic, spending results and hiring trends remain mixed in the survey.

According to the organization, there was a decline among retailers voicing optimism about future prospects: While 62 percent were optimistic at the beginning of 2011, those reacting positively for the balance of the year declined to 53.3 percent. Just 6 percent expressed pessimism, however, while the balance stated they were “not sure” or viewed the next six months largely as a continuation of the year-to-date performance.