In this episode, host Anjee Solanki sits down with Gregg Katz, Director of Business Industry Solutions for Real Estate at ESRI, to explore how “the science of where” is transforming retail decision-making. Gregg shares how the industry has evolved from basic demographics to rich layers of geospatial, psychographic, and mobility data, and why today’s biggest advantage comes from translating that data into clear, actionable stories.
They discuss the realities of AI in retail — what it can accelerate, what it can’t replace, and why human insight and local market knowledge remain essential. Gregg also breaks down shifting generational influence, from the spending power of Boomers and Gen X to the rising impact of Gen Alpha, and what this means for future retail formats and experiences.
The conversation wraps with a look at the “new retail math,” where market-level impact and brand influence are becoming more valuable than traditional KPIs.
Listen to the full podcast below or on the following platform links: Spotify, Podcasters, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts and Amazon.
In this episode of Retail: Recorded, host Anjee Solanki sits down with Emalia Tamanikwa, Director of Development at EDENS, to discuss how thoughtful development and design can foster authentic, community-driven places.
Their conversation explores the evolution of retail spaces like Union Market District in D.C., highlighting the balance between preserving heritage and introducing modern vibrancy. Emalia shares her philosophy on development as an intersection of analytics, design, and empathy that measures success not just in economics, but in connection, creativity, and inclusivity.
They also discuss the tangible impact of diversity in development, from programs like ICSC Launch Academy and Project REAP to how diverse perspectives lead to better design outcomes, stronger communities, and more resilient projects.
In this episode of Retail Recorded, Ethan Chernofsky, Chief Marketing Officer at Placer.ai, joins Colliers to discuss how location analytics is transforming retail strategy. Ethan shares how tracking foot traffic reveals not just where people shop, but why — offering critical insights into consumer behavior, store performance, and site selection.
The conversation covers trends like the rise of medtail, the blending of online and offline retail, and why successful brands today have a clear “reason for being.” Ethan also explains how top-performing centers are rethinking tenant mix and how tech adoption has become more strategic post-COVID.
In this episode, Whitney Livingston, COO of ICSC, joins Colliers to discuss the evolving landscape of retail real estate and the role of ICSC in shaping industry dialogue and development. Whitney highlights the remarkable growth of ICSC’s NextGen membership—individuals aged 40 and under—which has increased from 9% pre-pandemic to over 30% today. This surge reflects a new generation of retail professionals entering the space, bringing fresh energy, innovation, and diverse perspectives.
The conversation explores current industry trends including experiential retail, the blending of digital and physical commerce, and the continued importance of networking and community in commercial real estate. Whitney emphasizes ICSC’s commitment to being a hub for connection, education, and advocacy, especially as the retail sector adapts to post-pandemic consumer behavior.
In this episode of Retail Recorded, host Anjee Solanki chats with Evie Gross, VP of National Accounts at Brixmor Property Group, to unpack the art and science behind curating the ideal tenant mix. From tailoring merchandising strategies across 360+ shopping centers to placing Tesla in a former grocery box, Evie offers a candid look at how storytelling, data, and trust-based relationships shape leasing decisions.
Evie also shares the inspiration behind Retail Uncorked, a grassroots networking event for retail professionals she co-founded, which brings people together in local, intimate settings—and donates proceeds to the ICSC Foundation.
Tune in to hear why retail is more than transactions. It’s about building places people return to, and relationships that last beyond the lease.
In this episode of Retail: Recorded, host Anjee Solanki sits down with Melissa Gonzalez, Principal and Founder of MG2 Advisory (now part of Colliers Engineering & Design), to explore the dynamic evolution of eatertainment—the intersection of food, fun, and immersive experiences. Melissa shares her design-forward approach to crafting venues that balance cost, flexibility, and storytelling, all while creating memorable, multi-sensory spaces that drive traffic and loyalty.
Tune in to hear how eatertainment is more than a trend—it's a tool for connection, creativity, and community-building in today’s experience economy.
In this episode of Retail: Recorded, host Anjee Solanki is joined by Ricardo Belmar, a leading retail strategist and Director Partner Marketing for Retail & Consumer Goods at Microsoft, to discuss the current trends reshaping the retail industry. Fresh off attending NRF 2025 in New York, Ricardo shares key takeaways from the show, including the rise of AI in retail, and the ongoing evolution of retail media networks. He also delves into the importance of building deeper, relationship-driven connections with consumers and the increasing value of physical stores in an omnichannel world. Tune in for valuable insights on how retailers can navigate the changing landscape and enhance their strategies for 2025.
In this insightful episode of Retail: Recorded by Colliers, host Anjee Solanki, sits down with Neil Saunders, Managing Director at GlobalData and a renowned retail expert, to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the retail sector. They dive into the benefits and challenges of AI, from enhancing customer experience and operational efficiencies to addressing consumer concerns around data privacy and security. Neil shares how retailers and landlords alike are strategically implementing AI for micro-fulfillment, predictive analytics, and customer service, highlighting AI's potential to optimize both consumer satisfaction and business performance. With real-world examples, including Kroger and Sam's Club, Anjee and Neil shed light on the evolving landscape of retail through the lens of AI.
In this episode of Retail: Recorded, host Anjee Solanki interviews Claudia Humphrey, a project manager with Colliers Engineering & Design. They discuss the critical elements of project management, and their conversation explores the balance between aesthetics and functionality in retail design, emphasizing how technology, like 3D programming, enhances the design process.
They also delve into how brands are creatively integrating sensory experiences, such as lighting and sound, to enhance customer engagement, with a focus on the evolving role of storefronts in capturing customer attention.
Lÿden Foust, CEO of Spatial AI, joins Anjee Solanki for this month's episode of Retail Recorded. One of retail's biggest challenges is identifying its core consumers; Spatial AI works with brands to surface its best customers by leveraging social media, retail visitation, and demographic data to classify their behavioral patterns by type and trade area. Listen in to learn the value of combining social media data with demographics and shopping behavior to target your core customer, how the 'follow' in social media shows stronger intent than hashtags and the impact of brand collaborations like Barbie and Bloomingdales.
Join host Anjee Solanki on Retail Recorded as she sits down with Alberta Waller, Senior VP for Real Estate Management Services at Colliers, in a conversation about valuable insights on the effective management of retail shopping centers amidst evolving challenges, offering practical tips for addressing rising operational costs, and emphasizing the significance of tenant satisfaction. Together, they explore key performance indicators essential for property managers in meeting landlords' expectations.
In this month's episode of Retail Recorded, Anjee Solanki chats with Michael Lirtzman, Colliers Head of Office Agency Leasing, on how retail supports office environments. Together, they discuss the evolution and the revitalization of office buildings through experiential amenities, leasing dynamics, and the future of office, retail and service that prioritizes integration.
In this month's episode of Retail Recorded, Nicole Larson, National Manager of Retail Research at Colliers, joins host Anjee Solanki for a lively recap of retail highlights for 2023. From the Black Friday that wasn't and the growth of educated consumers spending more in-store, Anjee and Nicole share insights into the influences driving consumer behaviors and the unexpected generosity of retailers to welcome them back to brick-and-mortar.
In this month's episode of Retail Recorded, Anjee Solanki and Neil Saunders, Managing Director and Retail Analyst at GlobalData Retail, discuss retail trends with a recap of 2023 and a forecast of what's in store for 2024. Highlights include retail's expected growth in 2024, as consumers prioritize value channels, the impact of e-commerce on retail spending and innovation in food service.
In this month's episode of Retail Recorded, Anjee Solanki interviews Dimitri LaLagos, SVP of Leasing and Retail Development, at Triple Five, the holding company that owns and operates American Dream in New Jersey. Anjee and Dimitri discuss the complexities of retail, what it takes to curate the tenant mix for a global attraction five miles from Times Square, and how brands are coming around to the idea of larger footprints as a long-term investment.
In this month's episode of Retail Recorded, Anjee Solanki discusses the grocery landscape with Doug Munson, Head of Advisory Services at RetailStat, a retail data and intelligence provider. Doug, who has visited over 19,000 physical grocery stores, shares his in-depth knowledge of the space and insights into the tenant relationship. Throughout the interview, we learn about the grocery segment omnichannel experience and how it impacts changing store formats while adapting to shifts in consumer behavior.
In this month's episode of Retail Recorded, Anjee Solanki discusses the global state of retail in emerging Latin American markets with Suzanne Hollander, attorney, speaker and commercial real estate advisor for private investors and government entities the US and Latin America. Suzanne, who recently traveled to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Paraguay, shares her observations on the success of LATAM shopping centers, with insights into the mall as a community and how culture can influence the landlord-tenant relationship for the better.
In our next episode of Retail Recorded, Anjee Solanki speaks with KC Conway, a leading industry expert in CRE and the Chief Economist for CCIM Institute and Principal Co-Founder at Red Shoe Economics, LLC. KC's 35+ years of experience includes in-depth knowledge of banking, economics, housing, industrial CRE (especially ports and logistics), real estate finance, and valuation. Anjee and KC explore the macroeconomic elements impacting CRE, the suburban retail story and discuss the elasticity of America's infrastructure on its manufacturing and supply chain strategies.
In our next episode of Retail Recorded, Anjee Solanki speaks with Jeanel Alvarado, Founder and Editor of RETAILBOSS®, a recognized media publication that covers retail news across North America and Europe. Jeanel and Anjee discuss the value of educating oneself about the varied disciplines within retail and the importance of taking a holistic, collaborative approach to retail and real estate. The retail experts also take a closer look at the future of luxury retail, the adoption of smaller-format stores and what trends to expect from retail and beyond in the coming months.
In our next episode of Retail Recorded, Anjee Solanki speaks with Stephanie Rodriguez, National Director of Industrial Services for the U.S. and seasoned industry expert. Together they touch upon the value of Industrial and how the sector impacts every facet of the real estate business, from the supply chain to the retailer to the consumer. Stephanie offers candid insight into how Industrial supports retailers and brands beyond the walls-in approach, including site selection and how best to leverage an advisory board to evaluate and build a strategy to make informed real estate decisions. Anjee and Stephanie also discuss key attributes relevant to success in commercial real estate, including the value of mentorship.