The Center City District (CCD) released its latest Center City Retail Report, showcasing the ongoing transformation of Philadelphia’s downtown retail scene.
According to the report, retail occupancy has stabilized at 83% across the district, with notable expansion. The retail landscape has shown resilience, with the total number of retailers increasing by 15% since 2019.
Spanning a two-square-mile area, the district now boasts nearly 3,000 retail stores, service providers, and food and beverage establishments. Recent highlights include the addition of 35 full-service restaurants, 26 bar and nightlife venues, and several innovative retail concepts over the past two years.
Center City maintains a retail occupancy rate of 83%, with nearly 1,792 retail businesses.
The report notes that new retail clusters have emerged along Washington Avenue and Spring Garden Street, driven by apartment development. It also points to a surge in experiential retail concepts, particularly east of Broad Street, with venues like Puttshack, Beat the Bomb, and Five Iron Golf expanding in Center City.
During the CCD’s Open Streets initiative in September, nearly 90% of businesses reported increased foot traffic and a 68% average increase in sales. The popular activation is returning with festive updates for its holiday edition, set for Dec. 8 and 15.
Open Streets transforms and expands the area — specifically, 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut, and Walnut Street from 15th to 19th — by temporarily closing streets to traffic. During the event, locals are invited to stroll nearly seven blocks of car-free space while enjoying shopping, dining and activities for all ages.
“Center City’s retail landscape continues to evolve and strengthen, driven by strong demographics and growing residential density,” said Prema Katari Gupta, CEO of Center City District, in a statement. “The success of initiatives like Open Streets and the continued attraction of national retailers demonstrates the district’s vitality and potential for further growth.”
The full report can be found online at centercityphila.org/retail
