Retail in Myrtle Beach is led by grocery-anchored neighborhood centers and essential service corridors with high traffic and strong tenant retention. Regional malls face headwinds but power centers remain resilient.

Retail Market Overview: Myrtle Beach 2026

The Myrtle Beach retail market in 2026 reflects the metro's broader economic momentum, driven by government, healthcare, education, manufacturing, logistics. Key metrics for retail investors:

  • Retail Vacancy: 6.8%
  • Retail Cap Rates: 6.25%-7.25%
  • Metro Rent Growth: 3.2% year-over-year
  • Job Growth: 1.6%
  • Population Growth: 0.9%
  • Median Asking Rent: $1,450

Retail Subtypes in Myrtle Beach

The Myrtle Beach retail market encompasses a range of property subtypes, each with distinct risk-return profiles and financing requirements:

  • Single-Tenant Net Lease (NNN)
  • Multi-Tenant Shopping Centers
  • Grocery-Anchored Centers
  • Power Centers & Outlet Malls
  • Strip Retail & Inline Shops
  • Restaurant & Food Service
  • Auto Service & Car Wash
  • Entertainment & Experiential Retail

Each subtype has different lender appetite, underwriting criteria, and optimal financing structures. Understanding which subtypes perform best in Myrtle Beach's specific market conditions is critical for investment success.

Key Investment Metrics

Retail investors evaluating Myrtle Beach should focus on these key performance indicators:

  • Cap Rate Spread: Myrtle Beach retail cap rates at 6.25%-7.25% compare favorably to national averages, reflecting attractive yields for investors seeking current cash flow
  • Rent Growth Trajectory: 3.2% annual rent growth supports both value-add and core investment strategies
  • Supply Pipeline: New retail construction activity should be evaluated relative to the market's absorption capacity
  • Tenant Quality: The Myrtle Beach metro's major employment sectors — government, healthcare, education, manufacturing, logistics — drive retail tenant demand and creditworthiness

Financing Options for Retail in Myrtle Beach

Retail properties in Myrtle Beach can be financed through multiple capital sources, each with distinct advantages:

  • Life Insurance Company Loans
  • CMBS
  • Bank Permanent Loans
  • Bridge Loans
  • Construction (Build-to-Suit)
  • SBA 504 (Owner-Occupied)

The optimal financing structure depends on your business plan (core hold, value-add, or development), the property's current condition and occupancy, and your desired leverage and hold period. In the Myrtle Beach market, lenders are most competitive for well-located assets with strong fundamentals and experienced sponsors.

Top Submarkets for Retail Investment

The Myrtle Beach metro features several distinct submarkets for retail investment, each with unique characteristics:

  • Downtown Myrtle Beach — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Surfside Beach — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Murrells Inlet — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Pawleys Island — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Conway — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Socastee — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • North Myrtle Beach — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Loris — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Horry County — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Carolina Forest — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Market Common — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market
  • Grand Strand — offering distinct opportunities within the broader Myrtle Beach retail market

The most active investment corridors for retail in Myrtle Beach include Downtown Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island. Submarket selection significantly impacts both returns and financing terms, as lenders evaluate location-specific metrics in their underwriting.

Investment Thesis: Retail in Myrtle Beach

The investment case for retail in Myrtle Beach rests on several structural factors:

  • Economic Fundamentals: 1.6% job growth and 0.9% population growth create durable demand
  • Market Pricing: Cap rates at 6.25%-7.25% offer attractive entry points relative to coastal gateway markets
  • Financing Environment: The Myrtle Beach market's depth and lender familiarity support competitive borrowing costs
  • Growth Potential: 3.2% rent growth supports improving cash flows over the hold period

Myrtle Beach is one of the fastest-growing metros on the Eastern Seaboard, driven by retiree migration, tourism infrastructure, and an expanding year-round residential base. The market offers compelling retail and hospitality investment opportunities alongside strong multifamily demand from new permanent residents.

CLS CRE — Retail Financing in Myrtle Beach

CLS CRE specializes in retail financing throughout the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area. With access to 1,000+ lenders, we match your specific retail investment with the right capital source at the most competitive terms available.

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