LaSalle Investment Management predicts a few trends for the Canadian and global real estate investment market, according to its recently released 2015 Investment Strategy Annual (ISA) report.

Canada’s near-term economic growth this year is expected to trail the U.S., but remain ahead of other G7 countries. Improvement in the U.S. economy will help Canada in the form of stronger export volumes.

With increased house prices and household debt levels, private consumption is expected to grow more slowly, yet stronger business investment and government expenses should offset this a bit.

Among the varying sectors, industrial properties are listed as the top pick and should generate substantial demand.

Capitalization rates will remain close to the same levels they have for the past two years, with interest rates holding where they level now.

Economic growth and real estate demand in Western Canadian cities is expected to outperform the nation. Growth in the Alberta oil sands is expected to slow in 2015 as oil prices take a downturn and U.S. production accelerates. With the improvement of fracking technology, traditional oil and gas drilling is resurfacing, while strong growth in rail transport has alleviated pipeline expansion delays.

Also, e-commerce is expected to create more change among retailers and distribution chains across Canada. LaSalle says retailers with an established e-commerce platform will grow at the expense of those with less efficient or no platforms, while adoption of e-commerce will continue to grow as a share of overall retail trade.