For the very brave, however, this may be an opportunity to take advantage of “desperation” in the market. : Much of the retail sector was already gasping for air pre-COVID-19, with climbing retail bankruptcies and store closures. Add in a global pandemic that could permanently change how people shop, work and live, and the outlook appears even more risky for many retail real estate investors. The pandemic-induced lockdowns and social distancing requirements have hindered consumer spending at bricks-and-mortar retail locations while accelerating online shopping. Many non-essential retailers—particularly department stores and apparel stores—have been struggling to pay their rent.