Now Is The Time to Plan for Your Next Remodel
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
At Off The Wall, our experience shows that planning and investing in retail remodels at the right time can pay off once economic conditions, such as the current uncertainty, are in recovery. The best time in 2026 to start planning for signage, fixture, and decor resets is now.
Things are just beginning to settle after the peak November, December, January season, and interest rates look as if they might come down a bit in the near future. So February and March are the time to start locking down contractor and design estimates.
Predicting the best time to remodel in 2026 requires monitoring several evolving factors:
Federal Reserve policy direction and interest rate trajectory
Consumer confidence trends and spending patterns
Construction cost inflation and labor market conditions
Commercial real estate vacancy rates in your sector.
General 2026 considerations: If economic uncertainty persists through early 2026, Q1-Q2 may offer contractor availability and competitive pricing before any mid-year recovery gains momentum.
If strong growth is predicted after that, Fall 2026 execution will let you capitalize on slower pre-holiday customer traffic in time for the holiday peak season, which begins mid-November.
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Bottom line: Start planning now, regardless of execution timing. Permitting, design, and contractor selection take 4-6 months. The retailers who commit to strategic investments during uncertainty—when competitors hesitate—often emerge strongest. Monitor Q1 and Q2 2026 economic data to finalize timing.
Current considerations for Fall 2026 Execution:
If recession fears are materializing, construction costs may be softening while labor availability improves—potentially favorable.
If recovery is underway, capturing early momentum before competitors react offers advantages
If inflation persists, material costs remain elevated, reducing savings from slower demand.
ShopRite - Staten Island, NY - by Off The Wall
Key questions to assess:
Are your sales stable enough to absorb temporary disruptions?
Can you secure contractor rates that are more favorable than those from 12-18 months ago?
Will refreshed stores capitalize on pent-up consumer demand or emerging shopping patterns?
Do lease terms or competitive pressures create urgency regardless of cycle timing?
The "best" cycle depends on your financial position and strategic needs. Strong balance sheets can exploit opportunities in downturns that others can't. Conversely, thriving businesses during growth phases may justify remodeling, even at a higher cost, if customer experience demands it. Competitive necessity often trumps perfect timing.
The sweet spot balances affordable execution with imminent demand growth. Retailers who remodel counter-cyclically—investing when competitors pull back—often see outsized returns. However, financial stability matters most: only remodel if you can weather potential downturns without jeopardizing operations. Market positioning and competitive dynamics may override general timing principles.