4Q25: Charleston MSA Retail Snapshot

Charleston’s retail market remains exceptionally tight with consistent tenant demand for well-located spaces. Market-wide vacancy is holding near 3.1%, and there is positive net absorption of approximately 147,677 square feet over the recent period. Ongoing retail construction—totaling roughly 212,000 square feet underway—is encouraging, though entitlement timelines and development hurdles continue to moderate the pace of new supply. Core submarkets including North Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island, and Johns Island continue to report very limited availability generally between 0% and 2%, while North Charleston and Daniel Island combined remain slightly softer but still healthy at roughly 5% to 6% vacancy. Average rental rates have strengthened to about $26.36 PSF, and with continued challenges from the municipalities and utility providers in the growth areas, some new development is still anticipated.