Retail Retold

Latest Episodes:

EP 17: Floor and Decor in Las Vegas, NV with Deana Marcello Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

Deana Marcello is a Vice President at Logic Commercial Real Estate bringing over ten years’ experience specializing in commercial REO, investment and owner/user sales as well as representation for national retail tenants and institutional landlords. Listen as she tells the story of transforming a "retail graveyard" into a thriving shopping center with over 90% occupancy. Deana shares the story of a Floor and Decor deal which started this positive momentum.

Ep 16: SHOWFIELDS in Miami with Amir Zwickel Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

In today's episode, we feature Amir Zwickel, Co-Founder & Chief Real Estate Officer at SHOWFIELDS. Amir describes the holistic approach to their store model, and tells the story of his new flagship store opening in Miami.

He walks us through the new concept of "C" Commerce which contains the five C's: Convenience, Curation, Content, Community, and Connection. Listen as he shares the importance of curating an experience for consumers, providing them with a new way to discover new and local brands.

EP 15: Polpettina in Eastchester, NY with Kyle Inserra Feb 06, 2020

Show notes

Kyle Inserra currently works as Associate at CBRE specializing in restaurant brokerage but he didn’t take the traditional path to become one.

After studying Business Administration at Franklin & Marshall College, he attended the prestigious French Culinary Institute now known as International Culinary Institute. He spent 15 years as Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Manager working in the New York City, Hoboken and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Coming back to New York from U.S Virgin Island, he opened his former restaurant, Polpettina in 2009. Originally a deli store with just 10 seats, Kyle describes how he turned this place into a widely successful restaurant in Southern Westchester.

In today’s episode, Kyle shares rookie mistakes he has made in the earlier years of running Polpettina and how he turned these hard lessons learned into valuable experiences.

From tricky zoning permits to the importance of picking the right business partner, his story describes challenges that would be helpful for any first-time restaurant owners.

EP 14: Purple Pop-Up Stores with Melissa Gonzalez Jan 30, 2020

Show notes

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are skyrocketing in popularity — the shopping experience is convenient. But the downside is that you have to buy the product untouched and unseen.

That's where pop-up stores come in. Not only these stores present consumers with the elements of fresh feel, exclusivity, and surprise, they give DTC and digitally native brands the opportunity to interact with their consumers and showcase their products - in person.

No wonder there are more pop-up stores popping up everywhere.

On today’s show, Chris talks to Melissa Gonzalez, retail strategist and CEO of The Lionesque Group. Since 2009, The Lionesque Group has worked with leading and emerging brands to open more than 150 brick and mortar locations. Their impressive client list includes Nordstrom Local, Madison Reed, Sally Hansen, Purple, Amazon Video and many more.

Melissa dives deep into how pop-up stores are developed in a variety of shapes and how digitally native and DTC brands decide on their brick-and-mortar locations. Melissa shares her story of working with Purple (the world's first comfort tech company selling mattresses and pillows) to find their pop-up stores.

Last but not least, don’t forget to check out Melissa’s new book, The Pop Up Paradigm: How Brands Build Human Connections in a Digital Age!

EP 13: Massage Envy in Lake Success, NY with Jayson Siano Jan 23, 2020

Show notes

In today’s episode Chris sits down with Jayson Siano, CEO of SABRE Real Estate and the Founder of b.creative and FitWell Advisors. Jayson is a renaissance man in the industry responsible for the expansion of many brands into the NY Metro market including Starbucks, Orange Theory Fitness, Chipotle, City MD and SolidCore. In this episode you’ll learn why patience is key as they discuss the story of Massage Envy at Lake Success Shopping Center in New Hyde Park, NY and other stories from Jayson’s past. Jayson also touches on the importance of differentiating your business and how consumers are shaping the future of retail real estate and other trends in the CRE world.

Jayson Siano / Website: sabre.life / Social: Instagram – JaysonSiano

EP 12: Howard and Phil’s Western Wear in Pasadena, CA with Bob Phibbs Jan 16, 2020

Show notes

LinkedIn’s top retail influencer, author of three books, internationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, marketing mentor, and motivational business speaker?

Yes, we’re talking about just one person. Impressive, right?

Bob Phibbs, aka the Retail Doctor, joins us on today’s jam-packed show.

In this episode, you’ll learn why it’s so critical for retailers to create an emotional connection between their brands and customers, and how improving soft skills of the frontline store staff can improve customer experiences, ultimately driving revenues up.

Also, stick around to hear Bob’s WILD story on opening a Howard and Phil’s Western Wear store in Pasadena, CA in just TWO days!

This is a great episode with a true retail rock star who has seen and experienced the ups and downs of the retail industry over the last 30 years.

If you like this show, please share it with your friends, colleagues, family, and neighbors! Download this one today and make sure you subscribe to it so you don’t miss our new episodes every Thursday!

EP 11: (Real Talk Series #1) Steve Dennis Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

Real Talk Series #1 with Steve Dennis

A decade ago, you could get away with being average in retail because consumers back then didn’t have the same kind of resources and information we have these days. Since the emergence of digital disruptions, everything has changed. There is no room for average, boring retail anymore. Steve Dennis, who has more than 30 years of experience in retail as a senior executive at Fortune 500 retail companies and now a strategy consultant, talks why consumers now demand Remarkable Retail and how to create it. Steve says retail must also be personal. No customer wants to be average, and no customer has to be. That said, how do we define a memorable retail experience? How can retailers create relevant, authentic, and impactful experiences for their customers? Find out now! Join Chris as he talks with Steve about the essentials for remarkable retail and his new book.

EP 10: Bealls Outlet in Bradenton, FL with Wade Laufenberg Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

On today’s show, Chris sits down with Wade Laufenberg who has almost 30 years of experience in retail real estate under his belt. You’ll love the story Wade, VP of Real Estate, shares about Bealls Outlet, which has 450 stores in 16 states. Previously, the Bealls Outlet location in Bradenton, FL was on a sublease of Office Depot. Knowing the lease was coming to an end and Office Depot wouldn't exercise an option to renew, Wade needed to find a new location in the tight market of the Bradenton retail corridor. It took some time and patience, but it got the deal that was perfect for their business. Find out how Bealls Outlet secured its new location and developed a combo store layout that houses both Bealls Outlet and Home Centric, which is an office-price home retailer.

EP 9: Salsa Fresca in Bedford Hills, NY with Seth Hirschel Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

In the summer of 2008, John Tucker approached Marc Miles and Seth Hirschel with a business plan to open a healthy fast-casual Mexican restaurant that was absent in the Westchester County, New York. They founded Salsa Fresca shortly after, opening its first restaurant in Millerton, N.Y., with an open kitchen concept while using fresh, quality ingredients. Fast forward, Salsa Fresca now has 10 locations in New York and Connecticut and plans to expand nationally.

In today’s conversation with Seth Hirschel, one of Salsa Fresca’s founders and Chief Development Officer, Seth shares what he has learned from building Salsa Fresca and how the whole narrative on the fast-casual is changing.

EP 8: CanesWear in Davie, FL with Beth Azor Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

On today’s show, Chris interviews Beth Azor who currently owns and manages six shopping centers in Florida. Beth tells a fantastic story of the success of a local mom and pop store, CanesWear. About six years ago, Beth spots a store about a mile away from her Shoppes at Arrowhead shopping center that sells apparel merchandise for the University of Miami sports teams. Immediately seeing the potential of this store and recognizing it as a destination draw tenant, Beth persuades the owner of CanesWear to move to vacant space at her shopping center. Of course, it wasn’t easy. But she succeeded in bringing CanesWear to her shopping center and ultimately helping the local store grow its business in size and earning from $300,000 to over $1 million. Today’s episode is a true example of how landlords can motivate tenants to build greater business and wealth while genuinely understanding their business needs. Don’t miss it!

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