At the end of each month, the AGS team looks back at articles and blog posts that we saw this month that stood out to us. Some are from news agencies, and many come from our partners, but not all use our data. Here is the round-up from March 2026.
Placer.ai
Placer.ai’s latest outlook highlights a highly fragmented commercial real estate landscape, with performance diverging widely by market and asset type. Office recovery remains uneven but shows signs of momentum in higher-income metros, while retail strength continues to favor convenience-oriented formats and neighborhood centers. Ongoing migration trends—particularly toward Sunbelt and secondary markets—are reshaping long-term demand and site selection strategies.
SiteSeer
This case study walks through how white space analysis helps retailers identify untapped markets and prioritize expansion opportunities before diving into site-level decisions. By layering demographics, demand, and competitive landscape data, the approach helps brands avoid cannibalization and build smarter growth plans. The takeaway: the “where” of expansion starts at the market level—not the individual site.
Where Should We Open Next? A White Space Case Study – SiteSeer
Kalibrate
Kalibrate explores how emerging concepts like farm stops—retail outlets connecting consumers directly to local agriculture—can be evaluated using traditional site selection tools. Their analysis shows these concepts behave more like destination retail, drawing customers from large trade areas and thriving in communities with strong interest in local and organic food. The piece emphasizes balancing both consumer demand and local supply when assessing viability for new formats.
Using site selection analysis to assess new retail formats like farm stops | Kalibrate Global
ICSC
Madisonville, Kentucky offers a compelling example of how smaller markets can successfully attract national retailers through proactive branding and relationship-building. By leveraging ICSC events, investing in infrastructure, and telling a stronger community story, the city secured major tenants like Aldi and Hobby Lobby and spurred broader development. The article reinforces that retail growth doesn’t just happen—communities have to actively compete for it.
Madisonville, Kentucky’s Keys To Attracting Both National Retailers and Development | ICSC
Census
The Census Bureau’s 2026 test will pilot new methodologies for the 2030 Census, including a notable partnership with the U.S. Postal Service to assist with in-person data collection. Taking place in Huntsville, AL and Spartanburg, SC, the test aims to improve response rates, streamline field operations, and reduce costs. These innovations are designed to ensure a more accurate and efficient nationwide count in 2030.