Retail Leasing in Focus: Trends, Talent, and What’s Ahead
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Topics: retail real estate, market trends, talent acquisition, transformation, CBRE, retail leasing, retail industry, data analytics, store closures, investment, AI in retail real estate
Insights into evolving market conditions
Retail real estate isn’t defined by one trend right now.
It’s being shaped by a mix of forces all hitting at once.
Two of CBRE’s top retail leaders, Laura Barr and Scott Schnuckel, join Chris Ressa to dive into what’s actually happening across the industry, from leasing and retailer behavior to talent, data, and the broader market environment.
These are the questions shaping commercial real estate right now.
What’s driving today’s leasing activity. Why space is tighter than it looks. How retailers are thinking about growth and market share. And what’s changing in how they expect to be supported.
There’s also a deeper look at what’s happening behind the scenes.
Smaller teams doing more. A talent pipeline that hasn’t fully recovered. And the growing role of data and technology, including how AI is beginning to shape decision making across the industry.
At the same time, the fundamentals of the sector are holding up.
Capital is still flowing. Demand is still there. And retail continues to position itself differently compared to other asset classes.
But that doesn’t mean things are simple.
This is a wide ranging conversation about where the industry stands today and what could shape where it goes next.
What You’ll Hear
- Why retailers are fighting hard to protect market share
- How new uses are keeping shopping centers vibrant
- What’s really driving leasing activity right now
- Why space is tighter than it looks
- The growing talent gap across the industry
- How AI and automation could reshape retail costs
Chapters
00:01 – Inside CBRE’s Retail Leasing Leadership
How Laura Barr and Scott Schnuckel are shaping retail leasing at scale.
02:18 – Moving Beyond Transactional Brokerage
Why the industry is pushing toward true advisory.
04:15 – What Retailers Expect Now
How data and strategy are changing the game.
08:22 – What Transformation Really Looks Like
From talent to execution, what actually drives change.
15:40 – The Shift in Store Openings and Closures
Why both are down—and what it means.
19:08 – The Fight for Market Share
Why retailers aren’t giving up top-line revenue.
24:27 – The Talent Gap in Retail Real Estate
A workforce challenge that’s not going away.
26:43 – Why Capital Is Flowing Back to Retail
What’s making the sector investable again.
30:16 – The New Shopping Center Model
How tenant mix is redefining retail.
32:41 – Where the Pressure Builds
Costs, competition, and the need to adapt.
37:00 – AI and the Future of Retail Operations
How automation could reshape the industry.
42:28 – Why Data Is the Real Advantage
The shift from tools to actionable insights.
43:41 – Rapid Fire: Retail Favorites and Nostalgia
Extinct brands, recent buys, and shopping habits.
About Retail Retold:
The Retail Retold Podcast highlights community retailer stories from across the country and gives a behind-the-scenes perspective from business leaders in both retail and real estate industries. The show’s episodes contain valuable insights that help solve the needs of entrepreneurs and real estate pros. Join host Chris Ressa and new guests weekly for amazing insights and thought-provoking stories.