Sandy Sigal argues that the evolving fields of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are a perfect fit for retail. “We generate the most relevant data on an everyday basis, and that data affects the outcomes and success of our centers,” explains Sigal. In a discussion on the pivotal role of technology in the retail sector, Sigal emphasizes that understanding customer behavior is paramount for shopping center owners. By leveraging technology to track customer movement and sentiment — where they come from, how long they stay, how they feel about …
Retail Insight
At the ICSC LAS VEGAS 2024 conference, Nellie Day of Retail Insight discussed the current investment climate with Shaun Riley, managing principal of Faris Lee Investments. Riley highlights key aspects of the retail environment — discussing interest rates, bid-ask spreads, navigating the market and more. Investor Sentiment and Market Reactions Riley explains that investor sentiment is significantly influenced by interest rates. After two decades of low rates, recent hikes have led to a cautious approach among investors. “A lot of [investors] are waiting out until they see the returns …
Moreno Valley: Hub for Growth and Opportunity
Located in Southern California’s Inland Empire, Moreno Valley has emerged as a significant growth center and a friendly home to retail. As highlighted by Melissa McClain, head of marketing & business attraction for the city, the area’s robust development is driven by substantial job creation and strategic planning. “Truly the catalyst for the growth in Moreno Valley has been jobs. We’ve created more than 34,000 jobs in the last eleven years. And because of that, we now have more than 7,700 single-family and multifamily residential units that are either …
NewMark Merrill: AI, Automation Will Benefit In-Person Retail
Automation is not only here to stay — it’s here to make the tasks of owning, operating, marketing and leasing a shopping center easier. That is the view of Sandy Sigal, chairman, CEO and president of Calabasas, Calif.-based NewMark Merrill Companies. “I see automation as a net positive,” he explains. “The efficiency level inside shopping centers is going to go way up. Customer satisfaction levels are going to go way up too.” Sigal envisions a future where personalization, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), transforms the shopping experience, offering tailored recommendations and …
No matter the economic climate, the formula for creating value in properties will always be a retail property owner’s best friend. That’s why Broad Reach Retail Partners uses a multi-faceted approach that includes data-driven key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive their plans of action, strategic redevelopment and ongoing budget updates that optimize net operating income (NOI). “Through focused management, leasing and discipline, we create value, and we are able to return those dividends to our partners, properties and people,” says COO Mike Castellitto. “We have seen time and time again …
Thriving enterprises seeking to broaden their reach recognize a prime destination in Southern California that consistently outperforms others: Moreno Valley. Companies such as Sprouts Farmers Market, Texas Roadhouse, 85°C Bakery, Raising Cane’s, Hilton, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop and WoodSpring Suites are extending their presence in the city for good reason. They benefit from Moreno Valley’s unparalleled business-friendly atmosphere, a driven workforce, strategic positioning and competitive leasing rates. Fortune 500 and global corporations are flourishing in Moreno Valley, and below are some of the reasons why. Strategic Positioning Situated at the junction …
Faris Lee: Sales Success Strategies in a Challenging Market
Don MacLellan, managing principal at Faris Lee Investments in Irvine, Calif., knows it’s a challenging market. “Deal volume is off 40-60 percent from two years ago,” he says. “Back then, there was so much deal momentum because demand was so much higher than supply. Now, it’s the opposite, and due to lower transaction volume, 1031 demand is off significantly. So, the question becomes, how do you create strong demand with fewer 1031 exchange requirements?” It’s a question MacLellan and his fellow Faris Lee managing principals Jeff Conover and Shaun Riley …
Leasing activity, occupancy and capital markets demand for multi-tenant retail remain strong, but interest rate hikes have brought transactions to a halt. “On the supply side, we just aren’t seeing a lot of listings out there,” says Patrick Kelley, associate vice president with Northmarq. “There is not a lot of activity in terms of sales,” explains Ernest DesRochers, senior vice president and managing director with Northmarq. “Buyers are looking for shorter-term financing, being able to prepay with little or no penalty, and hoping to take advantage of lower rates in …
“Retailers are doing well, but growth is challenging as there isn’t much space to be had,” says Greg Eisenman, managing director of retail tenant services at Franklin Street. There is a major appetite for deals, but interest rates and construction costs have made development difficult, so it is taking longer for retailers to find space and close deals. The challenges are part of the overall historical retail cycle, explains Eisenman. “As brokers, we have to get a lot more creative, and just continue to dig deeper and harder. Nothing’s coming …
Sandy Sigal believes in a holistic approach to the properties he’s acquired. He pairs tech-savvy data gathering to understand trends and opportunities with a focus on creating shopping experiences consumers crave and connection with their communities. This strategy is essential to making NewMark Merrill’s projects into successes, including the company’s latest California projects: the Rialto Village shopping center in the Inland Empire, which just completed preleasing, and the Corbin & Parthenia shopping center in the San Fernando Valley area, which is slated for renovations. Knowing your customers allows you to account for their retail needs and desires …