Will Blomenkamp’s Post

Retailers are flipping the script and finding their groove in unexpected hotspots. From Nashville's post-pandemic economic development to Atlanta's diverse customer base for retailers to attract - it's all about 'location, location, location, with a twist! Find out which cities are a true retailer's paradise. https://lnkd.in/gUmm8NjN #RetailTrends #Retailing #RetailRealEstate

Washington Prime Group Inc.'s CEO, Christopher Conlon, spoke during the University of Cincinnati Real Estate Center 's May Roundtable this morning. Here are some notes: • Trending / "Hot" retailers in their portfolio include Scheels and Market by Macy's • "Pioneers" in their older malls who often change the direction of the asset include Warby Parker, lululemon, SEPHORA, Shake Shack, Buck Mason, Faherty Brand, and Nike. Often push for termination rights and start with % rent. Still demanding marketing $ and co-tenancy • Demolished 130 Million SF and only added 4 Million SF in the last 2 years. Highlighting the fact that open-air and enclosed mall owners are preferring to repurpose space over new construction • Challenges Ahead: Overall health of the consumer is a concern. While there is a strong employment rate, higher rates and credit card defaults are straining the lower socio-economic groups Well attended overall! #retail #realestate #cre #Colliers #CincyRetail

Yet another #onlineretail giant opting to go "physical". It's further evidence of the demand from consumers for an in-store shopping environment, and also demonstrates the value of experience in #retail. This is such encouraging news for the future of #retail and #retaildestinations. #retailintelligence #retailinsights #consumerbehaviour #highstreets #shoppingcentres #retailparks #tri2024 Rendle Intelligence and Insights

Retail experience and the event industry… This one’s for you Tony; My Dad began his career at Sears in the menswear department at Garden City in Winnipeg back when the right suit meant the difference between getting a job, promotion or date He took pride in what he did and the company he worked for.  They gave him time off when my brother was born; when I visited him at the store no one rushed us off because the other people at the store were friends. I still have fond memories of the company picnics at Assiniboine park   Fast forward to the early 90s, I’m freshly cut from Johnstown Pennsylvania with few skills outside a rink but Dad’s a senior buyer now and pulls a few strings to get an interview where I talk my way into an assistant buyer position at Sears head office For two years I used sell-through data to help determine assortment, predict sales and help the buyer make educated decisions.  (which is why I know what Amazon is doing, using data from independent sellers to create Amazon products that undercut the original product, then going further still by promoting those products over the original is immoral and should be illegal. We should also tax the hell out of them but I digress) I moved on after two years to Warnaco, led by Linda Wachner, a legendary CEO for all the wrong reasons where I spent the next 8 years managing national accounts from Walmart to HBC and everything in between I tell you this in order to say that I know and love retail, especially local retailers; from the dawn of time we’ve gathered in marketplaces. It’s as much social as it is transactional but over the last 40, that experience has been assaulted by consulting firms parroting the same tired solutions.  Cost outs, driven by staff cuts and greater efficiencies Rather than responding to an evolving reality most (not all) of them circled the wagons, falling back on old ideas instead of leaning into their face-to-face advantages But I don't think retail is dead and I think there's a great opportunity for our industry to lead; to partner with mall owners, retailers and local entrepreneurs Let's champion the resurgence of brick-and-mortar retail by rekindling the soul of in-person experiences. Join the movement to make our stores not just destinations for transactions, but vibrant hubs of community, connection, and commerce. #events #eventprofs #eventmanagement #retail #retailevent #eventmarketing Tony Chapman

As we focus on the opportunities & threats of AI, I'm appreciating more than ever my (human) relationships, especially with colleagues who are part of my 'corporate history'. People that you've worked with for years, even if those 'years' were a while ago, still know you in a deeper way than your new connections. Thanks Vanessa Austin for bringing back memories of fun times & continuing to share your entrepreneurial journey. #relationshipbuilding #entrepreneurship

There are moments worth celebrating. Wins are still out there no matter how things may appear. Two more retail stores approved for clients in NJ and another two full vertical licenses (cult, manu, retail) for two clients that own their own land in NJ. There are also losses. In the 1,300 range for NY priority review. Likely not a winner. Onward and upward. Learn from each experience and bring that to the next venture or deal. Still have a great location in New Rochelle for anyone that wins in the Mid-Hudson region.

Is your retail location hindering your success? The retail landscape is changing and it's important to buy the best location for your business! Let The Hammonds Group help you find a space that aligns with your brand and drives sales. #TheHammondsGroup #NashvilleRetail #RetailRevolution #FindYourPerfectSpot #commercialRealEstate

I realize I've been posting a lot about San Francisco lately - I would stop if it became less newsworthy. Instead, the hits just keep on coming, with yesterday's BOMBSHELL that MACY'S IS PLANNING TO CLOSE ITS 700,000 SQ FT UNION SQUARE FLAGSHIP IN THE COMING YEARS (link below). This was no doubt a heavy blow, and at the same time, a bit of a headscratcher, given that Macy's owns its building and would be selling into a down market. Moreover, large brands need the visibility generated by flagship stores in major markets - which Macy's presumably understands better than others, seeing as its 34th Street location in Manhattan has effectively carried the company for years. And it needs that visibility especially in a omnichannel model, with the role that brick-and-mortar must play in customer acquisition and retention. Obviously there's a lot we do not know, but to me, this move does not compute, at least at first glance, which suggests a couple of possibilities. One, Macy's and its new CEO are responding to pressure from activist investors eager to monetize its real estate. Two, it is putting the City on notice, as leverage for securing a hoped-for reassessment, a cash subsidy and/or even greater urgency in revitalizing the district. (Note that the store would not be closing until 2025 at the earliest). In any event, Macy's is definitely one of those legacy brands that I discussed in my last article ("What Really Happened to Downtown Retail", posted on 2/21), struggling mightily to stay relevant. Amidst all its flops in recent decades, it has also made some shrewd decisions. This, though, does not seem like one of them. #retailcontrarian #retail #retailleasing #retailrealestate #retailproperty #retailtrends #retaildevelopment #retailmarket #retailbroker #retailspace #retailindustry #retailers #downtown #mainstreet #mainstreets #citycenter #citycentre #highstreet #placer #placerai #urbanretail #icsc #commercialrealestate #ida #adrr #iedc #uli #icma #marketanalysis #futureofretail #siteselection #urbandevelopment #primeurbancorridors #jll #zoning #landuseplanning #landuse #planning #retailvacancy #vacantstorefronts #vacantretail #emptystorefronts #storefrontvacancy #citymanager #cnu #businessimprovementdistrict #communitybenefitdistrict #businessoffashion #wwd #retailbrew #storefront #downtownrevitalization #nyt #wsj #urbanregeneration #sanfrancisco #sanfranciscorealestate #unionsquare #sfbayarea #sanfranciscobusinesstimes #sfbt #sanfranciscochronicle #chron #sfgate #oewd #planetizen #economicdevelopment #cushmanwakefield #colliers #doomloop #urbandoomloop #sfstandard #kevintruong #johnking #londonbreed #boardofsupervisors #aaronpeskin #spur #covidimpact #covidimpacts #flagshipstore #flagships #paullevy #richardflorida #downtownsanfrancisco #downtownsf #dtsf #marketstreet #sanfranciscocentre #unionsquarepartnership #hoodline #SFist #costar #bisnow #TheregistrySF #svedc #kevinnguyen #macys #marisarodriguez #departmentstore #tonyspring #jeffgennette

These last two weeks have been an emotional journey. I started my position as Store Manager with Rue21 only 5 1/2 months ago. When I came on I thought I had found a home. I had a strong Management Team and a great crew that helped drive a positive culture and an amazing experience for the guests. We had to overcome so many obstacles in that short time and we’re making our mark on the District. I had also taken on results for the District and was about to start bi-weekly CC’s around Credit Cards. I was settling in to make Rue21 my home. I had passed over opportunities because I was happy. I was being told there was nothing to worry about as far as store closings because that’s what my DM was being told. This is just another example of how, as a Store Manager in retail, we have to adapt quickly and make the most of truly unbelievable and dreadful situations, while leading with a positive attitude and mindset. We do this not only for us to move forward but for our team to be able to move forward. They rely on us to be the example and will follow our leadership as how they are to lead and serve guests. Myself and my team have been scrambling trying to find another place to call home while still giving 100% even though we will soon be out of jobs. This is not easy, especially considering the circumstances, but this is what we do. We adapt! I am worried for my team, myself, and my peers. It’s exhausting…. Emotionally, physically, and mentally, but this is what we do! Move forward! I trust in my faith that I will be ok. I have to. We will overcome and persevere! Please keep us all that have been devastated by the mishandling of Rue21 employees in your thoughts and prayers! We need it! ❤️🩹 #leadership #retail #management #adapt #openforwork #overcome #teamwork #mentor