“We know firsthand from deals we’ve been working on that buyers have pulled back and lenders are more conservative,” says one broker. Nevertheless, the medical office sector is still considered a favored asset class among investors.

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons has been studying options to boost growth, having seen sales gains during the Covid-19 pandemic cool at the same time as labor and logistics expenses have been rising.

Although the final strategy is still being drawn up, investments in equities, fixed income and physical assets -- such as real estate -- are all being considered, the people said, asking not to be identified because the plans are private.