Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook

Stephanie Cegielski is Vice President, Research and Public Relations at ICSC, where she leads consumer research initiatives. Cegielski explains why Generation X—born between 1965 and 1980—represents a significant but overlooked opportunity for retailers and shopping center owners. Despite comprising only 19% of the U.S. population, Gen X accounts for a third of total consumer spending. She discuss...

Matthew Smith is the leader of retail investment in Canada for JLL, with 29 years of experience in Canadian capital markets. Smith discusses the current state of Canada's retail investment market, explaining why grocery-anchored centers remain the top investment choice for both domestic and international buyers. He covers the dominance of private capital in the market, the concentration of institu...

Alan MacKenzie is CEO of JLL Canada, overseeing all business lines including capital markets, work dynamics, leasing, and property management across the country. MacKenzie shares his journey from founding a retail real estate company in 2000 to leading JLL's Canadian operations, including his work bringing Lowe's to Canada and representing Walmart. He discusses the current state of Canadian retail...

Kimberly Grant, CEO of Nando's PERi-PERi North America, and Ryan Welch, Director of Real Estate, join the show to discuss the fast-casual restaurant's expansion across the United States. Grant and Welch share the story of Nando's entry into the US market, the brand's unique approach to hospitality, and the challenges of scaling operations while maintaining authenticity. They cover site selection s...

Robert Brozin is co-founder of Nando's, the global restaurant chain known for its flame-grilled peri-peri chicken. He left his corporate job to build Nando's from a single Johannesburg location into an international brand. He discusses the company's unique people-centric culture, the challenges and rewards of global expansion, and the importance of maintaining strong values and purpose. Brozin als...

Don Tepman, President and Founder of TownCentre Capital and the voice behind the popular @StripMallGuy account, joins the show to revisit and unpack his most notable recent posts. In this episode, Don shares the stories, strategies, and lessons behind his standout social media moments, offering candid insights into the world of strip mall investing. From the power of site visits to the impact of s...

Adam Rinella is Vice President of Real Estate & Development at Goop Kitchen, the fast-growing, gluten-free fast casual restaurant brand launched by Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop. Rinella discusses Goop Kitchen's origins as a delivery-only concept, its expansion to 13 locations in California, and plans for growth in New York and beyond. He explains the brand's approach to menu development, site selection,...

Ben Seidl, Co-Founder & CEO of Autolane, joins James Cook to discuss how Autolane is addressing the "last 50 feet" challenge for autonomous vehicles in retail environments. Seidl explains how Autolane's platform gives retailers and shopping center owners control over the final approach and parking of driverless cars, aiming to eliminate traffic jams and improve customer experience. He shares insig...

Rene Federico is US Head of Marketing at Primark, the global fashion retailer known for its affordable, stylish offerings. Federico discusses Primark's growth in the US, including its expansion plans and the unique in-store experience that sets the brand apart. She shares insights on adapting Primark's messaging for American consumers, the importance of brick-and-mortar retail, and the company's f...

Alex Avery is CEO of Primaris, the only Canadian REIT focused exclusively on enclosed shopping centers. Alex discusses Primaris REIT's growth strategy, recent acquisitions, and the unique dynamics of the Canadian mall market. He explains the company's approach to capital allocation, the importance of scale in mall ownership, and how Primaris REIT is navigating the evolving retail landscape. Avery...

Howard Levine and Camilo Varela are Managing Partners and Co-Founders of Second Horizon Capital, a company focused on revitalizing underinvested retail properties into vibrant community destinations. They discuss their approach to impact investment, the origins of Second Horizon Capital, and their growing portfolio of malls and lifestyle centers across the United States, including Chicago Ridge Ma...

Rob Gerbitz is President and CEO at Hendricks Commercial Properties, LLC, a company known for transforming historic sites into vibrant destinations. Gerbitz shares the story behind Hendricks Commercial Properties' growth, the company's approach to adaptive reuse, and the vision that drives projects like the Ironworks Campus in Beloit, Wisconsin, the Bottleworks District in Indianapolis, and the Bo...

Chuck Stilley, Eva Mui, and Mark McDonald are the team behind The Cinema Bridge, a consulting group with decades of experience in the movie theater industry, including leadership roles at AMC Theatres. They discuss the evolving landscape of cinema in the wake of the pandemic, the challenges and opportunities facing theater operators, and the impact of changing consumer habits. The conversation cov...

James chats with Prateek Misra, head of Luxury and Food & Beverage for India at JLL. They discuss the complexities and opportunities for international retailers entering the Indian market, which is home to over 1.4 billion people with a significant portion under 35 years old. Prateek highlights the importance of local partnerships and understanding diverse consumer preferences across India's regio...

Ryan Rao is Chief Development Officer at VIO Med Spa, an expanding chain in the medical aesthetics industry. Rao discusses the company's nationwide growth, the factors driving consumer demand for med spa services, and VIO's unique approach to site selection and real estate. He explains how VIO Med Spa differentiates itself through its retail-focused locations, spa-like environment, and comprehensi...

Join the fun at Retail Uncorked Orlando, where James talks with panelists and attendees, sharing insights on retail real estate and industry trends. Plus, market tour adventures, signature drinks and favorite rock anthems. Holly Cohen, Holly Cohen Retail Advisory Services discusses her extensive career in retail real estate, her advisory work on the redevelopment of Sarasota Square Mall, and the e...

Jeffrey Rosenberg is Chairman & CEO of Big V Property Group, a family-owned company with an 80-year history. Rosenberg discusses the company's evolution from its origins as a single grocery store in New York state, to an owner and operator of open-air shopping centers, including The RIM in San Antonio and The Avenue Murfreesboro in Tennessee. He explains Big V's approach to market research, the im...

James interviews Dan Roberts, co-founder of Veckta, a company that assists large commercial property owners in developing onsite energy systems. Roberts explains how Veckta identifies optimal sites for energy generation and storage, such as solar and battery systems. He details the economic benefits and processes for deploying these systems and highlights the platform's role in streamlining data c...

James interviews David Fuller-Watts of Kinexio about the challenges of managing retail properties and how technology, particularly AI, can streamline processes such as data collection and tenant communication. David shares his journey from founding a marketing agency to creating an enterprise property management solution. The conversation also touches on the future impact of AI on property managem...

James dives into the economic, historical, and retail landscape of Montgomery, Alabama, with Jerime Reid and Frank Robinson. Jerime, the Chief of Staff to the Mayor, and Frank, the Director of Economic Development, discuss Montgomery's pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement and its current status as a dynamic and diverse economy. The conversation covers the impact of Maxwell Air Force Base, the...

Jim Babinchak and Kevin Kern with architecture firm Cooper Carry talk about their role in helping Northwood Investors transform the Ballantyne Corporate Park in Charlotte, NC into a vibrant mixed-use project known as The Bowl at Ballantyne. They discuss the design vision of creating a communal and walkable environment with a blend of retail, residential, and entertainment spaces. Key features incl...

Phil Colicchio is an attorney and real estate consultant known for his work representing celebrity chefs and helping to pioneer the Las Vegas restaurant boom. Phil talks about the food and beverage industry in Las Vegas, the evolution of food halls, and the integration of entertainment into dining experiences. Phil also speaks about working with his cousin Tom Colicchio and his experiences negotia...

Mickey Papillon leads tech strategy for Irvine Company. He discusses the influence of technology on the shopping experience, including EV charging stations, AI, and the use of mobility data for strategic decision-making. He talks about using technology to enhance customer experience from online product discovery to in-center navigation. The conversation also covers predictive analytics and robotic...

Matt DuPlessie is founder and CEO of Level99, a real-world gaming venue designed for adults. He covers the origins of Level99, its unique concept of combining various physical and mental challenge rooms with high-quality dining, and plans for growth, including upcoming locations in Tysons, Virginia, Hartford, Connecticut, and Disney Springs in Orlando. Matt also discusses the technology and design...

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, and the increasing demand for EV infrastructure.  Ja...