What's in Store - Are the Experts Ever Wrong? Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono Revisit Their Retail Predictions

Summary

In this episode of What's in Store, Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono hold their feet to the fire—revisiting bold predictions made at ICSC to see what held up, what flopped, and what’s next. From the unshakable rise of value retail to the surge in food and beverage concepts, they dissect the real trends shaping retail today. They dig into the tug-of-war between experiential and convenience, the true state of omnichannel, and why sustainability is more than a buzzword. It's a candid, no-fluff look at where retail is heading—and how close they came to calling it right.

Takeaways

• The retail industry is experiencing a tight supply and high demand for space.
• Experiential retail is evolving, but convenience remains a priority for consumers.
• Omnichannel retailing has become a standard expectation for most retailers.
• Sustainability initiatives are not currently driving business decisions in real estate.
• Redevelopment and repurposing of properties are slower than anticipated due to various challenges.
• Food and beverage concepts are thriving, with a notable increase in coffee sales.
• Value retailing continues to be a strong focus for consumers amid economic pressures
• The conversation around tariffs and AI was less prominent than expected at ICSC.
• Mixed-use developments are still a hot topic, but execution remains challenging.
• Predictions for the future should consider longer timelines for significant changes.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Retail and Real Estate Predictions
• 04:58 Reflections on ICSC Predictions
• 09:52 Supply and Demand Dynamics in Retail
• 15:08 Experiential vs. Convenience Retail
• 19:54 The State of Omnichannel Retailing
• 25:00 Sustainability and ESG Initiatives
• 29:56 Repurposing and Mixed-Use Developments
• 33:47 Food and Beverage Trends

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