Finding the right retail space is one of the biggest decisions you make — and a crucial step in your business plan. The storefront affects how you design your shop, hire staff, manage inventory, and attract customers.
In other words, learning how to find retail space for a small business sets the tone for everything else, from daily operations to long-term growth. Your space should match your brand, fit your budget, and support how you plan to operate day to day.
If you’re starting a retail business, here are eight steps for finding the perfect location.
Before browsing listings, decide the kind of space your business needs to operate. Start with square footage: How much room do you need for inventory, storage, checkout, and customer movement? Will you need fitting rooms, back office space, or dedicated areas for services?
Think about your daily flow. If you rely on foot traffic, prioritize a front-facing layout with good visibility. Look for rear access and loading zones if you need storage or shipping space.
Your shop should support the planned layout, product mix, and how you plan to serve customers, not only how it looks on paper.
When figuring out how to find retail space for a small business, remember that rent is only one factor. To paint a complete financial picture, outline every major expense tied to your location:
Estimate monthly rent based on square footage and lease terms.
Add utility costs like electricity, water, internet, and HVAC.
Calculate taxes and insurance based on the property and the type of business.
Plan for build-out expenses to renovate or customize the space.
Include deposits and fees required to secure the lease.
Weigh your total cost per square foot against projected revenue. New constructions can involve land purchases and contractor fees, but offer full control over layout and design. Second-generation spaces may have lower upfront costs, but older infrastructure or heavy renovations can add up.
Either option can be a wise investment. It depends on the condition, location, and how well the space fits your business model.
Finding the right space is about whether local shopping habits line up with your business model. Are people browsing or running errands? Do they linger or pass through?
Your revenue depends on fitting into those patterns.
Use mobile data tools (like Placer.ai or local foot traffic heatmaps) to analyze trends. You want a consistent flow during peak hours, not only weekend or seasonal bursts.
Visit the area at different times to observe the crowd. Are they commuters, families, students, or tourists?
Map competitors and complementary local businesses nearby. Your store will perform better next to businesses that serve a similar or compatible audience.
Use Google Maps, local commercial real estate (CRE) listings, and chamber directories to compare lease rates, visibility, and proximity to anchor tenants or daily destinations.
High foot traffic doesn’t guarantee revenue. Focus on areas where the people passing by match your target customer, making walk-ins more likely to convert.
You know your space requirements and target market — now it’s time to browse available locations. There are several ways to find commercial listings, each with its benefits and limitations.
Start with these go-to sources:
Search commercial real estate platforms like LoopNet, Crexi, and CityFeet to filter listings by size, location, and lease type.
Check local broker websites and social media accounts for active listings that may not be published elsewhere.
Browse chamber of commerce directories or local business associations to find up-and-coming retail zones.
Drive through your target neighborhoods — many smaller spaces post “For Lease” signs before going online.
Create a shortlist and compare cost, visibility, and layout side by side.
If you want to simplify the process of finding a retail space for your small business, use an experienced retail agent. They can flag details that derail deals, like limited parking, restrictive signage rules, or leases that pass repair costs to the tenant.
They’ll help you avoid properties that seem like a good fit but have hidden costs, poor visibility, or zoning issues.
Here’s what to look for before signing with a realtor:
Ask about off-market listings in your target area and how they screen properties for retail fit.
Review their experience with storefronts, not office or industrial clients.
Confirm they understand local zoning laws, signage restrictions, and permitted uses.
Make sure they negotiate lease terms, not just show spaces.
You’re not buying square footage — you’re setting up a business with specific customer flow, signage needs, and inventory logistics. Work with an agent who understands how your industry works.
Every walkthrough is a chance to test how your store layout will function on a typical day. Use this time to find potential issues and ask questions before you commit.
Walk the space and see how customers and staff would move through it.
Check lighting, heating/cooling, storage, and how well it’s been maintained.
Ask for old utility bills, inspections, and repair history.
Find out what upgrades are needed to meet building codes.
If the space can’t support your design, security needs, and legal requirements, it’s not ready — no matter how appealing the rent looks.
Lease structure can impact monthly costs as much as rent, making mistakes difficult to recover from. Before signing anything, read the fine print and have a commercial real estate attorney review it.
Know exactly what you’re agreeing to:
Clarify whether it’s a triple net (NNN) lease where you pay taxes, insurance, and maintenance, or a gross lease where those are included.
Confirm lease length and renewal terms that could limit flexibility or increase costs.
Ask how rent escalations are structured so you can budget for future increases.
Review restrictions on signage, hours, renovations, or product types that could affect how you operate.
The lease you sign sets the conditions for how your business functions in that space. Flexible terms help you plan ahead and avoid costly setbacks.
Before signing the lease, take time to negotiate the retail space contract — landlords expect it, and even minor adjustments can save you thousands. Focus on terms that support your opening and long-term operations:
Request free rent during the build or soft-opening phase.
Ask for tenant improvement (TI) allowances to help cover renovations.
Secure signage rights for window, door, or roadside visibility.
Clarify exclusivity clauses to avoid competing businesses next door.
These beneficial terms allow you to move through permitting, setup, and tech installation without delays. With vendors lined up and point of sale (POS) tools ready, you can open fully equipped and ready to serve your first customers.
Once you’ve learned how to find retail space for a small business, it’s time to get your store up and running. That means designing your layout, organizing inventory, and choosing tools that support how you sell.
Comcash connects your sales floor, stockroom, and online store in one point of sale (POS) system. Accept payments through flexible displays, track inventory in real time, and use built-in marketing features to stay engaged with your customers.
Want to launch a retail-ready store? Request a demo today to see how Comcash helps you open with the tools you need to sell, track, and grow from day one.