The retail real estate sector is leading the way in terms of preparing for a post-COVID 19 return to more normal business operations, according to Nareit Senior Economist Calvin Schnure.

Speaking May 4 on the Nareit REIT Report, Schnure pointed to the various new safety measures that Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) has implemented in order to reopen some of its malls.

“The retail sector and the shopping malls are not isolated, they’re just the first part of our economy that’s going to be dealing with a post-COVID world. They are pioneering the way so that people can interact safely together,” Schnure said.