It is no secret that brick-and-mortar retailers are facing unprecedented headwinds. The headlines are filled every day with the latest updates on faltering sales and diminished fortunes. In this tumultuous environment, the real estate these ubiquitous retailers occupy may be a critical resource in fending off the competitive onslaught. Given the increasingly competitive retail environment, retail C-suite executives would be well served to shift their thinking and begin viewing real estate as a financial asset rather than just an operating location.