Join Stephen Dombrovski as he takes us on a journey through the evolution of shopping centers and the art of showmanship. From his childhood experiences witnessing the birth the modern mall to a career in retail real estate, Stephen shares stories about the remarkable events and promotions that transformed malls into vibrant community hubs during the 1970s. Get ready for bear wrestling, lion taming, and old-time showmanship, as we discover the significance of experiential retail. James Cook is the director of retail research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify ..read more

Beginning in 2006, a pivotal year marked by the widespread adoption of broadband internet, EDENS embarked on a journey to redefine itself  by focusing on human connection and experiential retail. Jodie McLean, CEO of EDENS, explores the company's mission to enrich communities. Jodie shares personal anecdotes to illustrate Edens’ evolution towards creating spaces that facilitate social interactions and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of dwell time and the concept of 'consequential strangers' in building relationships.  James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in ..read more

This episode dives into the current landscape within the grocery store industry in North America. The conversation also touches on the role of technology and online grocery shopping, the resilience and attractiveness of grocery-anchored shopping centers to investors, and more market insights from the United States and Canada.  Download a free copy of the JLL grocery report here: https://www.us.jll.com/en/trends-and-insights/research/grocery-tracker Today's show features discussions with JLL research team members Saul Lua, Heli Brecailo, and Ophelia Makis.  James Cook is the Directo ..read more

Dr. Gordon Chiu is a scientist and commercial real estate investor. Facing a pothole problem at his shopping center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Chiu used his unique expertise in graphene, a modern and strong material, to develop an efficient and cost-effective solution for repairing potholes, substantially improving the longevity of asphalt and reducing legal and financial liabilities.  Dr Chiu is a regular guest on the Calling All Explorers podcast. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Listen: Wh ..read more

Michael Hirschfeld discusses his over 50-year career in the retail real estate industry, focusing on urban markets across the U.S. He started in 1970s New York City at a time when retail brokerage was not the developed field that it is today. He speaks to the evolution of urban retail, the impact of changing market dynamics on retail real estate, and future opportunities within the industry. He also talks about the broader transformations in New York City's urban landscape, providing insights into how shifts in demographics, technology, and consumer behavior have influenced urban retail enviro ..read more

This episode features two tech companies, exploring what their products mean for retailers and shopping centers. Verlin Youd explains how Ariadne's technology tracks customer behavior in physical locations such as stores, shopping centers, and airports, thereby providing retailers with analytics historically limited to e-commerce. Zied Ladhari discusses how Raydiant's platform delivers content on digital screens both inside and outside of stores. The platform can monitor the performance of employees, gather demographic data about customers, and even customize content based on customer engageme ..read more

Justin Greider, the Florida retail lead at JLL, explains how the state attracts new residents with a lower cost of living, ultimately driving up demand for retail space. Tourism also remains a powerful driver for Florida's retail sector, with Orlando and South Florida benefiting the most.  In addition, industry veteran David Zoba and JLL President of Retail Advisory Services Naveen Jaggi discuss the current state of retail real estate, pointing out a shift towards more competition for food and beverage spaces, and the current tight market, especially for end caps and drive-throughs. They ..read more

Josh Poag, the President and CEO of Poag Development Group discusses past and future projects, including Avenue One in Omaha and the redevelopment of the Oak Court Mall in Memphis. He also talks about the future for retail real estate and the need for engaging with local communities. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Alexa: Say "Enable the Where We Buy skill" Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow ..read more

What does it take for a big retailer to make a massive organizational change?  Maybe they want to roll out a new point of sale system or a new software to manage their supply chain. Companies often know they need to make a change, but not exactly how to get there. Catherine O'Doherty talks about her approach to the challenges of transformation and change management.  Catherine O'Doherty is an Associate Partner at Sia Partners. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  ..read more

Justin Stein, Executive Vice President of Leasing at Tanger Inc., dives into the evolution of outlet malls, where the the emphasis is now on diversifying the tenant mix, offering digital native brands, and creating shopping experiences for consumers. Tanger's newest centers in Huntsville, Alabama; Asheville, North Carolina; and Nashville, Tennessee each offer shoppers more dining and entertainment options, and blur the lines between lifestyle centers and outlet malls. James Cook is the director of retail research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podca ..read more