The Bronx has seen an increase in the number of chain stores in 2017, a sign of anticipated economic growth in the borough, according to a newly released report by a think tank group. The news is in lockstep with the rest of the city, which has seen its ninth consecutive year of growth in the number of national retailers and food establishments.

The report by the Center for Urban Future (CUF), a research group that focuses on the economy and infrastructure in New York City, found the number of Bronx stores rose by 1.8 percent. There were a total of 16 chain stores that opened in 2017, bringing the number of stores to 907. While a lot of the storefronts are fairly widespread, the increase is focused in the South Bronx area (neighborhoods with 10451 as their zip code). The 10467 and 10458 zip codes, which cover Norwood and Bedford Park respectively, saw only one chain store open.

“Going back 10 or 15 years ago, when chains started coming in big numbers to New York City, most of them started in Manhattan,” said Christian González-Rivera, author of the 2017 report and a senior researcher at CUF. “As incomes rose in other boroughs, retailers realized there are potential markets in other boroughs. And basically the Bronx was the last of the boroughs to actually get that wave of growth.”

MetroPCS dominated the Bronx with 98 locations. The CUF credits the cell phone chain’s significant growth in the past decade to the wireless service chain’s 2013 merger with T-Mobile. The cell phone store opened on Jerome Avenue between Mosholu Parkway and East Gun Hill Road in 2017. Across the city, Dunkin’ Donuts led the way in the number of chain stores, with 612 locations, up from 596 in 2016. Dunkin’ Donuts came in second with 89 franchises and Subway third with 58 stores in the Bronx.

Although fast food chains have opened more in 2017, the report showed retailers that directly compete with online stores closed significantly since 2016. Chain pharmacies like Duane Reade/Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid have lost 53 locations in 2016, leaving 588 locations across the city. Norwood’s CVS Pharmacy at East Gun Hill Road and Perry Avenue closed last March. Meantime, Rite Aid leads in the Bronx with 36 locations. The pharmacy chain could see more locations in the future because of its pending acquisition by Duane Reade/Walgreens.

With several national retailers increasing presence across the Bronx, there is concern for local mom and pop stores in different neighborhoods.

“For some neighborhoods, some of these chains are the only retail in that area. So, for some neighborhoods, it is definitely going to be a welcome addition,” said González-Rivera. “For others that have had small businesses that have been there for a long time, perhaps they’re going to see increased competition from the national retailers.”