The latest piece from Retail Dive, "Which Retailers Are at Bankruptcy Risk in 2026," offers some really practical insights for all of us. While it focuses on big chains, understanding who’s on their watchlist is incredibly useful, especially if one of those names happens to be a co-tenant in your shopping center or plaza. For independent retailers like us, a co-tenant’s financial struggles can ripple through our own operations in ways we might not immediately consider.

Thinking ahead, if you're approaching a lease renewal or even mid-lease, knowing about a neighboring anchor's potential instability can be a game-changer. It directly impacts things like co-tenancy clauses in your lease – those provisions that often give us leverage if a major tenant leaves. Beyond that, a struggling co-tenant can affect foot traffic to the entire center, and even your landlord’s willingness to negotiate on terms, knowing they might be facing a vacancy themselves. It’s about being proactive and understanding the broader ecosystem of your location, not just your own four walls.

So, before your next lease conversation or if you notice any shifts in your center, take a moment to review the list of retailers mentioned. It’s not about predicting the future, but about being informed and prepared. Having this knowledge allows us to better assess our own position and approach any lease discussions with a clearer understanding of the potential dynamics at play. We’d love to hear in the forum if anyone has experienced the ripple effects of a co-tenant’s bankruptcy and what you learned from it.