Retail Rent Negotiations About To Get Messy

Retailers and landlords are locked in an awkward dance as April rent comes due.Major chains including Mattress Firm and Subway have told landlords they will postpone or slash payments in coming months. Mall operators say they expect to be paid.Best Buy, meanwhile, plans to pay rent, with the possible exception of locations it was forced to close.The situation is messy, in large part because no one knows when it will end.Cash-strapped retailers are stuck with lease obligations, while landlords have to pay their lenders, who in turn are looking to the federal government for help.