Brandy Mathie is Director of Site Acquisition and Portfolio Management at Electrify America, the largest open hyper-fast electric vehicle charging network in the U.S. Mathie explains the company's growth, future goals, and the logistics of deploying charging stations in retail locations. She also covers customer experience, ideal site locations, an…

Kien Tsoi, regional director of leasing for Dollar Tree, talks about what it takes for a retailer to surpass 9,000 stores in North America. Kien talks about his background in retail brokerage and the unique shopping experience that Dollar Tree offers. He also speaks to the competition he faces for retail spaces and the impact of economic conditions…

Andy Weiner, President of RockStep Capital discusses his unique strategy of involving local investors and community bank lending to invest in open air and enclosed shopping centers. Andy shares insights from his background in retail and explains how RockStep mitigates risks by fostering strong local partnerships. He also delves into the company's p…

Jennifer Schuler, CEO talks about the storied history of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, from Alice Handel's dedication to quality ice cream starting in 1945 in Ohio, to today's franchise-driven expansion. Jennifer shares her own career journey from General Mills to Wetzel's Pretzels, highlighting her passion for the food industry. The conversation to…

Don Tepman, better known as 'StripMallGuy,' talks candidly about his rise to social media fame in the retail real estate world. Don discusses his beginnings in real estate, his years of anonymous posting, and the decision to reveal his identity. He shares his strategies for selecting and managing properties, focusing on mom-and-pop tenants, the cha…

James Cook discusses the successful collaboration between the city of Yorba Linda, California, and Zelman Development in creating the Yorba Linda Town Center. Featuring insights from Colleen Callahan, the Economic Development Manager for the city, and Brett Foy of Zelman Development, the conversation explores the project’s conception, early challen…

Alex Zikakis is President of Capstone Advisors, which invests in retail and flex properties, mainly in Southern California, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. Alex shares the evolution of Capstone over 28 years, from its initial opportunistic real estate investing to its current strategy of 'buy, fix, and keep'. He discusses the surprising similarities b…

Hear what happened on the ICSC showroom floor with Brixmor Property Group's David Spawn, Tanger Outlet's Laura Fullington, Nuveen's Ana Leon and Big V Property Group's Mike Jordan. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Listen: WhereWeBuy.show Email: [email protected] YouTube: ht…

Tanger CEO Stephen Yalof discusses the pivotal changes in Tanger's retail real estate strategy with JLL's Naveen Jaggi. Originally an outlet center company, Tanger is now pivoting towards experience-focused, full-price centers. Yalof outlines how post-COVID dynamics, such as the popularity of open-air environments and the addition of food and lifes…

Gregg Katz is the Director of Business Industry Solutions for Real Estate at ESRI. He's also a lover of nostalgic retail brands. Gregg talks about his series of articles on defunct retailers and restaurants, such as Blockbuster Video, Service Merchandise, and Planet Hollywood. He reveals overarching lessons from these companies' highs and lows, inc…

Nishant Jain is CEO of Presso, a company with a self-service machine that autonomously cleans, deodorizes, refreshes, and presses garments in about five minutes. Jain explains how Presso's technology simplifies traditional, labor-intensive dry cleaning processes and makes them more efficient and environmentally friendly. He explores potential appli…

George Banks of Revel is an experience-driven retail real estate veteran. He talks about the elements that make for a great retail street and successful food hall. He explores the importance of location, density, and the right tenant mix in both scenarios. He shares insights from the various projects his company has worked on across the country and…

Winston Fisher and Michael Beneville talk about the latest at Area 15, an immersive entertainment district in Las Vegas. They discuss the project's inception, the role of key attractions like Meow Wolf, and the unique blend of experiences that make it more than a typical entertainment venue. The interview covers Area 15's approach to creating a dyn…

Alex Patterson is founder and CEO of Beat The Bomb, an interactive entertainment venue inspired by action movies and team-building games. The concept combines mission-based challenges with a paint bomb finale. Patterson shares insights on the business's growth, ideal real estate, and target demographics. The conversation covers Beat the Bomb's uniq…

Bucky Mabe, CEO of FACE Amusement Group talks about his family's history in the amusement business, the importance of innovative branding, and strategic planning. He delves into FACE's recent acquisition and redevelopment of Myrtle Beach Mall, blending unique entertainment experiences with traditional retail. The episode covers challenges and succe…

Lauren Ball, COO of Westwood Financial, talks about the company's $1.6 billion retail real estate portfolio, which includes about 125 centers, primarily in the Sunbelt states. Lauren highlights some standout properties, like Glenwood Park in Atlanta and Paradise Valley Shopping Center in Phoenix, explaining their unique attributes and tenant mixes.…

Nate Minnis is the Head of Real Estate for Smalls Sliders. Nate shares his journey from working at Subway to leading real estate strategies for multiple franchise brands, including Smalls Sliders. He discusses the unique aspects of the Smalls Sliders concept, its growth driven by simplicity and modular design, and the key factors for choosing optim…

Joe Kunigonis, CEO of Smartify Media talks about the ways that commercial property owners can monetize digital screens. He delves into the programmatic and targeted advertising capabilities of this medium, explaining the infrastructure and advantages of digital signage. He also covers the challenges and opportunities in both indoor and outdoor reta…

Nick Hodge is CEO of Essential Growth Properties. Nick shares insights from his extensive background in the supermarket industry and details Essential Growth's focus on acquiring, building, and operating grocery-anchored shopping centers nationwide. The discussion explores current investment opportunities in secondary and tertiary markets, the oper…

Zach Gelfand is Head of Property for Funlab, an Australia-based entertainment company. He talks about the company's unique entertainment concepts, including Holy Moley and Hijinx Hotel, and the company's expansion from Australia to the United States. Zach discusses Funlab's distinct blend of bar, restaurant, and entertainment elements, their innova…

Lane Chaplin talks about Hyperfuel's unique approach to electric vehicle charging stations. Hyperfuel is building a network of fast-charging stations in the U.S., with a focus on locations near retail and dining establishments to incentivize shopping and dining while charging. He discusses the company's use of personalized incentives through their …

David McGlinchey is Chief Strategy Officer at Sprouts Farmers Market. He discusses Sprouts’ unique positioning as a specialty market focusing on organic, vegan, and gluten-free products. He explains Sprouts' growth strategy, customer demographics, and how the company plans to expand into new territories. He also highlights how Sprouts differentiate…

Christine Mastandrea is COO of Whitestone REIT, which owns 55 shopping centers in Texas and Arizona. She discusses her unique philosophy about retail real estate; Whitestone's strategy of acquiring smaller, community-centric properties in high-growth markets; and how understanding neighborhoods through data analytics and psychographics drives their…

Daniel Russo leads Building Engines, a property management software platform owned by JLL. He explains how the software connects tenants and property teams, facilitates maintenance, tracks utility usage, and manages vendor interactions. He also elaborates on adapting the software for retail properties, the differences between managing retail and of…

George Papageorge, a seasoned retail development executive, outlines the key roles essential for project success, including legal, leasing, and design professionals. He emphasizes the importance of assembling a diverse, locally-based team. George highlights the growing use of fractional executives, the value of early legal involvement, and the crit…

Kris Bjorson leads retail e-commerce distribution at JLL. He recaps a recent tour of two high-tech retail distribution centers in the Indianapolis area and explains how they represent current industry trends. The discussion covers warehouse automation, inventory management, and labor dynamics, as well as the broader shifts in retail supply chains i…

James Cook hosts an in-depth discussion on the current state of retail real estate across major European cities, including growth trends, key retail locations, and city-specific strategies for market penetration. - Josefine Ulrich talks about the challenges of entering the European market - Tjard Martinus discusses the positive outlook for European…

Chris Ohlund, CEO of Time Out Group, discusses the company's transformation from a London-based publication in the 1960s to a global media and food hall brand. Time Out now operates markets in nine cities, with seven more in development. Ohlund explains how Time Out uniquely combines media and markets to showcase each city's best offerings, detaili…

Retail’s future is rapidly evolving, shaped by technology and changing consumer habits. In connection with JLL’s Future Vision research project, this episode of Trends & Insights: The Future of Commercial Real Estate explores three potential scenarios for shopping in the years ahead. How AI will challenge traditional retail spaces and consumer beha…

Mixed-use redevelopment in Toronto has been driven by the region's rapid population growth, leading to increased housing and infrastructure demands. The constraints on housing supply, rising costs due to taxes on new development, and challenges in creating effective retail spaces in mixed-use projects are explored. Examples of successful mixed-use …

Andrew Lainsbury is a seasoned retail marketing consultant and professor from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He explores the concept of "retailtainment," merging retail with entertainment to create multi-sensory experiences that captivate customers, with examples from brands like Disney and Lush. He discusses the transf…

Hosts James Cook, Keisha Virtue, and Saul Lua dive into recent insights from two reports on holiday shopping and luxury retail trends. With inflation concerns lingering, the discussion reveals that holiday spending is anticipated to rise by 31.7% this year, with a focus on experiences such as dining out, movies, and visits to attractions. Shoppers …

Marta Bowles from NielsenIQ discusses the spending behavior and characteristics of Generation Z. Marta reveals findings from the 'Spend Z' report, highlighting Gen Z's role as a significant spending demographic, their seamless approach to shopping across digital and physical channels, and the importance of brand authenticity for engaging this gener…

This podcast episode explores how AI-powered drones are revolutionizing warehouse inventory management can minimize workforce and maximize productivity inside the warehouse. Featuring Verity founder Raffaello D'Andrea and JLL executives Kris Bjorson and Sam Brashler, the discussion highlights the challenges of traditional inventory methods, includi…

Architect and author Kevin Ervin Kelley speaks about his book "Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places that Bring People Together." He discusses the key elements that make places great, the importance of combining diverse components to enhance user experience, and how retail environments can outperform online competition by focusing on po…

Bob Burk from UrbanStreet Group discusses the redevelopment of Motorola's former 225-acre campus in Schaumburg, a Chicago suburb. UrbanStreet acquired the campus in 2016 with plans to transform it into Veridian, a mixed-use urban environment. Bob discusses the site's history and their approach to integrating residential, commercial, and recreationa…

Ryan Moore, founder and CEO of Last Mile Investments talks about the growing trend of investing in unanchored retail centers. He explains the unique value proposition of these properties, emphasizing their location in high-traffic areas and their appeal to services like medical, dental, and food and beverage businesses. He also details Last Mile's …

Aaron Sorin from AnyRoad talks about the importance and impact of experiential events for retailers, restaurants, and shopping centers. He explains how AnyRoad’s event management software helps businesses measure and optimize their event strategies. He covers examples including Johnny Walker's personalized whiskey tours and Westfield's holiday Sant…

Ryan McNeill, founder of Veritas Development talks about OAK, a new mixed-use development in Oklahoma City. He was inspired by iconic retail spaces like Santana Row and The Grove to spend over 15 years assembling land and building OAK. The project, featuring retail, food, hotel, and residential, aims to revitalize the area and bring high-quality am…

Richard Lake, founding Principal of Roadside Development, and Catherine Timko, Principal at Riddle Company highlight transformative projects in Washington DC, including City Market at O and City Ridge. They discuss D.C.'s retail evolution and challenges in redeveloping office space into mixed use projects. After that, Michael Wheat, Managing Direct…

Anne Mezzenga from Omni Talk joins James for a discussion about expanding retailers such as Five Below, Harbor Freight Tools, Burlington, Ulta, and Netflix House. They talk about innovative store concepts and technologies being implemented by H&M and Schnucks and touch on the economic implications of these trends and the importance of experiential …

Jorge Barragan and Austin Wood are co-founders of The Picklr, an indoor pickleball chain. Discussing the sport's burgeoning popularity and demand, they share how The Picklr has sold 311 franchise locations in the U.S. and plans international expansions. They talk about their franchise model, the impact of the pandemic on the sport, partnerships wit…

James Cook is joined by Sucharita Kodali, VP and Principal Analyst at Forrester to talk about five significant trends impacting the retail sector. They discuss consumer confidence amidst low unemployment and high inflation, the role of artificial intelligence in retail, the current state of the luxury market, and the potential merger between Saks a…

Tim Murphy, CEO of Boomers Parks, delves into the operations, challenges, and growth of Boomers Parks' family entertainment centers (FECs) and water parks. The discussion covers Murphy's extensive background in the entertainment industry, the evolution and modernization of Boomers Parks' offerings, and the significance of understanding demographic …

Katie Grissom is the Head of Retail and Mixed-Use, Americas at Nuveen. She explains the company's retail investment strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer behavior. Katie points out the evolving demands of millennials, the significance of convenience culture, and the potential impacts of Gen Z's burgeoning buying power. Real…

Davon Barbour, President and CEO of the New Orleans Downtown Development District, discusses downtown New Orleans' vibrant retail, dining, and entertainment. Barbour elaborates on the the importance of public-private partnerships. He also highlights initiatives to support small businesses and attract new retailers, making downtown a hub for commerc…

Toby Harris, President & CEO of State of Play Hospitality discusses his company's three innovative entertainment offerings: Flight Club, Hijingo, and Bounce. Flight Club combines darts with upscale hospitality and cutting-edge technology, making it accessible and fun for all. He also shares insights into the origins and expansion plans for Hijingo,…

Giuseppe Stigliano is co-author of the new book “Redefining Retail: 10 Guiding Principles of a Post-Digital World.” With a Ph.D. in Marketing and Economics, he has co-authored influential business books with international guru Philip Kotler, such as 'Retail 4.0', 'Onlife Fashion', and 'Redefining Retail'. He highlights the necessity for retailers t…

Bluhawk in Overland Park, Kansas is a 277-acre mixed-use development anchored by a massive indoor sports facility. The facility includes basketball courts, turf fields, and NHL regulation ice rinks, which will attract a significant youth sports crowd. Kent Price and Bart Lowen of developer Price Brothers talk about the vision behind Bluhawk, the ty…

James Cook and Keisha Virtue wanted to see to see how many celebrity restaurants they could visit in two hours on the Las Vegas Strip. In their research, they identified 361 celebrity restaurant openings in the past 5 years in the U.S. and Canada. These establishments not only boost tourism but also create a competitive edge in the competitive rest…