"The combination of fewer shoppers in stores and stores increasingly operating fulfillment centers in their back rooms gives retailers space to spare. Rather than having stores look sad and empty, many retailers are offering space to others to have the remaining retail space look livelier. Adding retailers of other or compelling, even competing, categories can drive traffic, which only offers an upside versus not signing such agreements."

Retail analyst and Coresight Research founder Deborah Weinswig, writing this week in the “Weinswig’s Weekly” note, “Big Retailers Are Increasingly Sharing Their Space with Brands and Even Other Retailers.” (Free registration may be required.)