A shifting market, a growing opportunity
The U.S. healthcare real estate market is rapidly expanding. In 2024 the industry’s size was estimated at about $1.32 trillion, and it is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of roughly 6.2 percent through 2030.
At the same time, outpatient and retail-adjacent care settings are gaining momentum. Expanded outpatient services, consumer preference for convenience, and retail space vacancies all create openings for what many call “medtail,” meaning medical care delivered in retail-style settings.
Why retail locations are winning
Several forces are converging:
Patients want care on their terms, closer to where they live, work, and shop.
Traditional retail footprints are becoming available, as store closures and changing retail habits create under-used space that can be reimagined.
Healthcare providers are seeking more flexible, efficient models than large hospital campuses.
By embedding clinics in shopping centers, mixed-use developments, or near everyday destinations, care becomes less of an extraordinary event and more a normal part of life. That shift supports better patient follow-through and outcomes.
Design and execution matter
It is not just about location. The built environment affects experience in practical ways, including convenient parking, clear signage, and interior layouts that feel more familiar than clinical. When the physical space works for people, they are more likely to engage.
That kind of access and usability does not happen by accident. It takes developers and partners who understand both patient behavior and real-world workflows. This is where thoughtful planning meets outcome-driven design.
What this means for you
If you are a healthcare provider, a community leader, or an investor, the medtail trend signals something important: the right site can shift care from being a disruption to being a natural part of life. For you, that means easier access for patients, higher utilization, and ultimately better health outcomes. For communities, it means clinics that feel integrated, not isolated.
The future is built where life happens
Better access leads to better care. Better care strengthens communities. And it all starts when we build healthcare in the places people already go, because care is most effective when it is convenient, familiar, and aligned with life.