Main Streets Across the World 2025

Global Rental Growth Trends

Rental rates may differ worldwide, but 58% of tracked markets still saw YOY rental increases. Competitive tension among retailers for limited prime space continues to heighten demand on key streets, pushing rental prices upward.

The Americas saw particularly strong growth, with a YOY increase of nearly 8%. This performance, driven largely by South American cities, positions the region as the strongest performer globally. Europe saw steady growth accelerating to 4%, while the Asia Pacific region experienced a modest slowdown, with rents increasing by about 2%.

Iconic Main Streets and Their Rankings 

The rankings of the world’s most iconic main streets have seen another significant reshuffle in the past year. In a notable change at the top, London’s New Bond Street has risen two spots to become the world’s most expensive retail destination, surpassing both Milan’s Via Montenapoleone and New York’s Fifth Avenue. This climb is driven by a 22% rental growth over the past year, bringing average rents to $2,231 per square foot, while rents in Milan and New York remained flat.

With this shift, Via Montenapoleone now stands as the second most expensive street globally, followed by Upper Fifth Avenue in third. The rest of the top five remains consistent, with Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui and Paris’s Avenue des Champs-Élysées holding their fourth and fifth positions, respectively. 

However, the gap between Paris and the sixth-ranked street, Tokyo’s Ginza, has narrowed considerably. Strong rental growth of 10% in Ginza highlights its enduring prominence in the global retail landscape. 

How We Ranked Main Streets Across the World 

Main Streets Across the World delves into the headline rents of 141 top urban retail locations. The report analyzes YOY shifts, providing a clear view of the global and regional rental landscapes. The global ranking highlights the premier retail street in each country, while detailed regional rankings for the Americas, APAC, and Europe offer an unfiltered look at every city tracked. 

To fully grasp the trends shaping the world's most iconic retail destinations and discover strategies for sustained success, download the complete Main Streets Across the World report. Access invaluable data and expert analysis to navigate the future of retail.

Economic Shifts and Retail Resilience 

Changing economic conditions have had wide-ranging effects on main streets globally. The global economy entered 2025 on comparatively healthy form, with inflation largely under control and central banks beginning to cut interest rates. This shift initially boosted business and consumer optimism. 

However, a sharp change in economic policy in early April, marked by new tariffs, introduced significant uncertainty, causing a dip in confidence. Despite this, the retail sector has shown remarkable resilience. While economic growth is slowing in many parts of the world, retail sales have continued to see positive growth in most regions. 

The current environment requires retailers to remain agile. The global economy is expected to see an uptick in growth in late 2025 or early 2026, supported by potential for further interest rate cuts. This provides a pathway for retailers to address the ongoing volatility.

Reinventing Retail Supply Chains

Global retail supply chains are evolving rapidly, driven by tariffs, shifting geopolitics, and changing consumer demands. While challenges like cost increases and port congestion persist, retailers are seizing this moment to innovate and strengthen their operations. Nearshoring is on the rise, with companies tapping into opportunities in Eastern Europe and Latin America to achieve faster lead times and more resilient supply chains. 

This period of transformation is also fueling investment in predictive analytics, micro-fulfillment, and diversified sourcing strategies, enabling retailers to adapt swiftly and meet customer expectations. By adopting these advancements, forward-thinking retailers are tackling today’s challenges head-on while setting themselves up for lasting success. In today’s ever-changing retail world, agility and innovation are emerging as essential ingredients for growth.

Shaping the Future of Global Main Streets

The future of global main streets is set to flourish, fueled by bustling international tourism and a spirit of adaptability. As travelers seek out iconic destinations and unique experiences, these avenues are welcoming visitors from every corner of the world. Retailers are turning to data and analytics to better understand fast-changing customer expectations, tailoring their offerings and enhancing experiences. Flexibility will be the cornerstone for success—those able to adapt quickly to market shifts and cultural trends will ensure main streets remain vibrant, vital hubs that shape how we shop, connect, and explore in the years ahead.

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