tenants, there may be downward pressure on our rental rates and occupancy levels, and this increased bargaining power may also result in us having to increase our spend on tenant improvements and potentially make other lease modifications in order to attract or retain tenants, any of which, in the aggregate, could materially and adversely affect us. We may not be able to lease new or redeveloped properties to or renew leases and relet space at existing properties with an appropriate mix of tenants or at desired rents, if at all. We may not be able to lease new or redeveloped properties to an appropriate mix of tenants that generates optimal customer traffic. Also, when leases for our existing properties expire, the premises may not be relet or the terms of reletting, including the cost of allowances and concessions to tenants, may be less favorable than the current lease terms. Tenant preferences for properties may also change over time, like recent trends towards right-sizing portfolios, repositioning space and locations and pursuing new store concepts, and our properties may no longer align with such preferences. If we fail to identify and secure the right blend of tenants at our newly developed and existing properties that offer diversified categories and uses, such as retail, specialty entertainment, restaurants, and health and wellness, and that keep up with evolving customer preferences, our properties may not appeal to the communities they serve. If we elect to pursue a “mixed use” redevelopment we expose ourselves to risks associated with each non-retail use (e.g., office, residential, hotel and entertainment), and the performance of our retail tenants in such properties may be negatively impacted by delays in opening and/or the performance of such non-retail uses. Additionally, an oversupply of space in the trade areas in which our properties operate could reduce market rents, negatively impacting the terms upon which we lease our properties. To the extent that our leasing goals are not achieved, we could be materially and adversely affected. Acts of violence, civil unrest or criminal activity, actual or threatened terrorist attacks and inappropriate and unacceptable behavior by visitors at our properties could adversely affect our business operations. Because our properties are open to the public, they are exposed to risks related to acts of violence, civil unrest and criminal activity as well as actual or threatened terrorist attacks that may be beyond our control or ability to prevent, and recently there has been an increased risk of organized retail crime and physical violence, the severity and frequency of which varies by market and location. If any of these incidents were to occur, the relevant property could face material damage physically and reputationally, and the revenue generated by such property could be negatively impacted. Consumers may also perceive a heightened threat of these risks due to increased crime in certain markets and negative media attention. Concern around safety risk may impact the willingness of consumers, tenants and tenants’ employees to shop and/or work at our properties, which could result in decreased consumer foot traffic and decreased reported sales at our properties, directly and indirectly impacting our revenue and overall asset value. We face a wide range of competition that could affect our ability to operate profitably, including e- commerce, as well as evolving consumer preferences and purchasing habits. Our properties compete with other forms of retailing such as pure online retail websites as well as other types of retail properties such as single user freestanding discounters (Costco, Walmart and Target). In addition, many of our tenants are omni-channel retailers who also distribute their products through online sales and provide options to consumers like buy online pick up in store, buy online ship to store or buy online return to store. Our business currently is predominantly reliant on consumer demand for shopping at physical stores, and our business could be materially and adversely affected if we are unsuccessful in adapting our business to evolving consumer purchasing habits. The increased popularity of digital and mobile technologies has accelerated the transition of a percentage of market share from shopping at physical stores to web-based shopping. Although a brick-and-mortar presence may have a positive impact on retailers’ online sales, the increased utilization of pure online shopping may lead to the closure of underperforming stores by retailers, which could impact our occupancy levels and the rates that tenants are willing to pay to lease our space. Additionally, the increase in online shopping may result in certain tenants underreporting sales at our properties which may materially and adversely impact our collection of overage rent. Examples may include, retailers and restaurants not reporting curbside pick-up sales or online sales fulfilled with store inventory, and tenants reducing reported store sales by including online returns processed in the store. Epidemics, pandemics or other public health crisis, and governmental reactions thereto, could have a significant negative impact on our and our tenants’ business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity and our ability to access the capital markets, satisfy our debt service obligations and make distributions to our shareholders. Epidemics, pandemics or other health crises could have, a material negative impact on economic and market conditions around the world and an adverse impact on economic activity in retail real estate. Governments and other authorities could respond to epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, by imposing or re-imposing measures intended to control the spread of disease, including restrictions on freedom of movement, group gatherings and business operations
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