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The Global Insight

Is real estate part of retail?

Author

James Olson

Updated on March 12, 2026

The retail real estate industry is a category within the commercial real estate sector. While the commercial sector encompasses properties, including buildings and land, that are used to generate profits the retail industry is more specific. Retail real estate leases are typically longer at around 5 years.

What does retail real estate mean?

Property Type, Retail Retail property types are properties used to market and sell consumer goods and services. This category includes single tenant retail buildings, small neighborhood shopping centers, larger centers with grocery store anchor tenants, and “power centers” with large anchor stores.

What is considered a retail business?

Retail businesses sell finished goods to consumers in exchange for money. Retail businesses can include grocery, drug, department and convenient stores. Service related businesses such as beauty salons and rental places are also considered retail businesses.

What is a major downside for a business to own its own building?

What is a major downside for a business to own its own building? Maintenance and repair activities could cause the business to lose its business focus. Product liability is greater. Maintenance and repair activities could cause the business to lose its business focus.

Is retail and commercial the same?

In short, commercial space and retail space are, in fact, two different things. “Commercial space” generally refers to office space. With commercial space, there may not be as many people wandering in and out, whereas “retail space” depends largely on foot traffic.

Can you include real estate in the sale of a business?

Good will is somewhat intangible, and agreements might include clauses that prohibit transfer. This isn’t to say that the value of any real estate can’t be included in the sales price of a business enterprise, but it should be delineated.

How to value and sell a retail business?

Here’s How to Value a Retail Business – Everything about valuing, buying, or selling a business in one place. Click the “Resources” tab below to explore. William Bruce has been assisting clients with these issues since 1986.

When to add real estate to value of business?

As indicated above, inventory for resale should be added at cost to the formula result. If the business owns real estate, the value of the realty should also be added to the guideline result. However, you as the owner, seller or buyer of the business are the final arbiter of what the business is worth to you.

What makes the sale of a business an ordinary gain?

Selling Only Specific Business Assets. In this case, if you sell business assets (equipment, furniture and fixtures, company-owned vehicles), the gain on the sale of these assets is considered an ordinary gain. That is, the gain is considered as ordinary income to the business, as opposed to a capital gain.