Alex Elias is CEO and co-founder of Qloo, an AI platform designed to understand and predict consumer tastes. He discusses how AI-driven prediction models can influence retail strategies and shopping center development, touching on the significance of privacy-centric data collection. This episode also includes a live demonstration of Qloo's affinity model. Sam Delisi is an operating partner at Moderne Ventures, a venture capital firm that has invested in Qloo. He joins to give his take on the...

Meet Cindy, a virtual spokesperson designed to forge stronger connections between shoppers and shopping centers. Cindy was created using AI tools, but isn't herself an AI. This episode explores the motivations behind Cindy's creation. The team behind Cindy delves into the challenges and successes of bringing a virtual influencer to life, emphasizing the potential of virtual influencers in building trust and authenticity. This conversation also touches on the technological and creative...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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:...

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...

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...

Gary Rappaport, CEO of Rappaport, talks about his long-term investment strategy focused on grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Washington, DC area. Sharing insights from his  book, 'Investing in Retail Properties: A Guide to Structuring Partnerships for Sharing Capital Appreciation and Cash Flow', Gary reveals how his business model has led to over 45 years of success.  James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | ...

Devin Murphy, President at Phillips Edison & Company sat down for a conversation prior to his upcoming retirement. He talked about his career journey and his leadership role at Phillips Edison, which went public in 2021. The company is one of the largest owners of  grocery-anchored shopping centers in the US. Devin shares his views on the shifting landscape of the commercial real estate industry, the move towards omni-channel grocery and the impact of increased interest rates on property...

Spencer Robinson, Director of Real Estate at Central Michigan University, delves into the world of green claims - statements companies make about their sustainability initiatives - and discusses the increasing need for these claims to be verifiable. Spencer sheds light on recent legal developments and regulations surrounding these claims, particularly in the United States. He explains some of the implications for both large corporations and smaller businesses in the real estate and retail...

Take a deep dive into the European retail real estate market with retail specialists in the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Explore store expansion plans and shopping trends in Europe's most popular shopping districts and retailers.   - Mark Smith leads EMEA Cross Border Retail, and UK Retail Occupier Leasing at JLL. - Benjamin Boccara is a JLL Retail Leasing Advisory Manager in Paris, France. - Tjard Martinus heads EMEA Retail Research at JLL, based in the Netherlands. - Moritz...

This episode features a focus on Phoenix, Arizona.  First, ASU's Mark Stapp provides insight into the economic state of the metro, discussing factors such as housing affordability, water resources, and changing temperatures.  Then, Charley Freericks with Catellus Development talks about his work at the Novus Innovation Corridor. The public-private partnership comprises 355 acres of land in an urban infill location, representing Tempe, Arizona's evolving urban core. It includes hotels, office,...

Content creator Nancy Bhasin, who posts as @basicbalance on Instagram, gives a behind-the-scenes peek into how she creates content in partnership with shopping centers in her area.  Jen Augustyn, the CEO of ad agency The Dealy Group, talks about creating campaigns with influencers for her brick-and-mortar retail clients. Then, Ashlyn Booth of JLL talks about their "Happy Haulidays" campaign which includes local content from 50 influencers at 32 different North American shopping centers. ...

In this special Black Friday bonus episode of "Where We Buy," James Cook discusses trends and expectations for the holiday shopping season in North America. Joined by fellow retail researchers Keisha Virtue and Heli Brecailo, they share insights from surveys conducted with U.S. and Canadian shoppers. They cover the impact of inflation, the shift from goods to experiences, preferred shopping channels, and retail forecasts for the holiday season.   James Cook is the director of...

Terry Montesi, founder and CEO of Trademark Property Co., talks about how his company approaches development projects with a 'conscious capitalism' stance, advocating for the welfare of multiple stakeholders. He also gives his thoughts on the future of traditional enclosed malls, the role of mixed-use development in bolstering retail, and Trademark's new foray into multifamily real estate development. James Cook is the director of retail research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple...

James dives into the San Francisco restaurant scene. The first stop is Fisherman's Wharf, where Bob Partrite is the COO of Simco Restaurants, which operates five restaurants and a coffee shop at Pier 39. Bob discusses the challenges of serving food in a tourist area and how the company navigated the pandemic. The next stop is Ghirardelli Square, where Josh Leavy, CEO of San Francisco Brewing Co. talks about how he launched his brewery and his plans for future expansion. Plus, JLL's Laura...

Rob Holuba with CenterSquare Investment Management, explains the investment strategy around Essential Service Retail (ESR) shopping centers. Rob shares how CenterSquare embraced the ESR strategy, buying unanchored centers, strategically located in suburban submarkets with high visibility, offering a diverse mix of small shop spaces tailored to the community's needs.  James Cook is the director of retail research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google...

Adam Ifshin is the co-founder and CEO of DLC, a company that owns, manages, and redevelops open-air shopping centers. DLC focuses on acquiring and adding value to assets in the open-air retail space, with a particular emphasis on grocery-anchored properties. They also engage in redevelopments, including densification, mixed-use additions, and adding experiential components. Adam believes that the shift to hybrid work models and the suburban lifestyle will continue to drive demand for open-air...

Justin Baer started Collars & Co. by selling his unique Dress Collar Polo during the pandemic. He gained celebrity investors when he appeared on Shark Tank. He discusses his experience on the show and how it propelled the growth of his business. Baer also talks about his decision to open brick-and-mortar stores, starting with a pop-up in Tyson's Corner, Virginia, followed by a permanent location in Chicago. He also talks about the role of social media marketing and the importance of...