April 29 (Reuters) - Regency Centers ( REG ) beat

first-quarter estimates for funds from operations (FFO) on

Tuesday, supported by sustained, strong leasing demand for its

commercial real estate spaces.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), including Regency

Centers ( REG ), have been benefiting from steady tenant demand,

particularly from retailers and grocers experiencing consistent

sales as consumers continue to spend on everyday essentials,

such as groceries.

Regency Centers' ( REG ) portfolio comprises more than 400

properties leased to major grocers such as Kroger ( KR ) and

Amazon's Whole Foods, as well as prominent retailers

including TJX, Kohl's, Ulta Beauty ( ULTA ), and

Target ( TGT ), among others.

For the quarter ended March 31, the company reported FFO of

$1.15 per share compared to analysts' average estimate of $1.13

per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The company also reaffirmed its annual National Association

of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit) FFO per share

forecast, which remains in the range of $4.52 to $4.58 per

share.