The market has evolved. The questions are just as relevant. A Retail Retold Replay looking back at retail in 2024.

We're throwing it back to ICSC 2024 with James Cook, Americas Director of Retail Research at JLL and host of the Where We Buy podcast.

From the DLC booth in Las Vegas, James and Chris Ressa shared a quick and impactful conversation on the trends shaping retail real estate, from the continued strength of open-air centers to the challenges created by historically low vacancy. While leasing activity has slowed, Cook explains why that's more a reflection of limited supply than weakening demand, and why he remains optimistic about the health of retailers and the consumer.

The conversation also explores where artificial intelligence could have the biggest impact on the industry. As AI tools become more sophisticated, the opportunity isn't a lack of technology. It's finding ways to apply it to an industry built on private data, complex lease structures, and physical assets.

They also touch on one of retail's more unexpected growth stories: celebrity-backed restaurants. Based on JLL's research, Cook shares why these concepts have surged in recent years and what that says about today's increasingly competitive restaurant landscape.

Whether you're catching this conversation for the first time or giving it another listen, this throwback to ICSC 2024 is a fast, insightful look at the ideas that continue to shape retail real estate today.

What You’ll Hear

• Why James Cook remains optimistic about retail despite higher interest rates and economic uncertainty
• How historically low vacancy is changing the retail leasing landscape
• Why slower leasing activity doesn't necessarily signal weaker retailer demand
• Where artificial intelligence has the greatest potential in retail real estate
• The biggest challenge preventing AI from transforming the industry overnight
• Why celebrity-backed restaurant concepts have exploded in recent years
• What JLL's research reveals about the connection between branding and restaurant expansion
• How today's retail trends compare to the expectations coming out of 2024

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to the replay

James Cook introduces his role leading retail research at JLL.

00:21 – Why James is optimistic about retail

Consumer demand and retailer expansion continue to support the market.

01:12 – The headwinds facing leasing

Lower absorption, limited vacancy, and what the numbers really mean.

01:43 – Would more available space lease quickly?

Chris and James discuss how different types of vacancies would perform.

02:19 – Can AI transform retail real estate?

The promise of artificial intelligence meets the realities of the industry.

03:36 – Why real estate is different

Physical assets, fragmented data, and why AI adoption won't be straightforward.

04:19 – The rise of celebrity-backed restaurants

James shares surprising research on one of retail's fastest-growing concepts.

05:51 – Retail, restaurants, and final thoughts

Favorite dining recommendations, industry research, and closing reflections.

Just how niche is the secondhand retail market?

Secondhand retail is one of the fastest-growing forces in retail, with the market expected to approach $80 billion by 2030. According to America's Thrift CEO Chris Homewood, that scale would make the category larger than the GDP of more than 130 countries.

But the story is bigger than growth.

As consumers spend more of their lives in digital environments, they are increasingly seeking experiences that feel tangible, personal, and unexpected. Thrift shopping delivers exactly that. Unlike traditional e-commerce, where shoppers search for a specific item, secondhand retail is built around discovery. The thrill comes from finding something you weren't looking for, a premium jacket for $9, a collectible hidden in plain sight, or a one-of-a-kind piece that turns a routine shopping trip into a treasure hunt.

That experience is resonating with a new generation of shoppers. More than 60% of Gen Z consumers now shop secondhand, driven by a combination of value, sustainability, and a desire for experiences that feel authentic. The result is a customer base that spans income levels and demographics, proving that thrift has evolved far beyond its traditional roots.

For America's Thrift, the opportunity is clear. The company operates 35 stores across the Southeast and is pursuing disciplined expansion, opening approximately five stores annually while building a footprint that stretches northward. Supported by strong community partnerships and a business model centered on convenience, the company is positioning itself for long-term growth.

As retail continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: people still crave discovery. And in an increasingly digital world, the joy of finding something unexpected may be one of the most powerful drivers of all.

What You’ll Hear

• Why the secondhand market is projected to approach $80 billion by 2030
• The surprising reason Halloween is the biggest season in thrift retail
• How thrift retailers source, process, and price millions of donated items
• Why Gen Z is helping drive the growth of secondhand shopping
• How America's Thrift is expanding through profitable store growth
• What landlords and shopping center owners are seeing in the rise of thrift retail

Chapters

00:01 – Chris Homewood’s retail journey

From the Marine Corps to Circuit City, Target, Ross, private equity turnarounds, and now leading America’s Thrift.

04:08 – What is America’s Thrift Stores?

A look at the business model, footprint, mission, and charity partnerships.

05:57 – Who shops at thrift stores today?

Why thrifting now appeals to both value shoppers and younger consumers.

07:21 – How thrift retailers acquire inventory

The donation ecosystem that fuels the business.

08:22 – The operations behind inventory flow

Why convenience, processing speed, and execution matter more than buying.

10:49 – The power of fresh inventory

How nine-day inventory turns keep customers coming back.

13:21 – Resale, apparel, and the growth of secondhand

Understanding the size and trajectory of the market.

15:06 – Store size, pricing, and profitability

How America’s Thrift evaluates locations and prices merchandise.

16:44 – The growth strategy

Why the company is focused on disciplined expansion and profitable new stores.

23:37 – Why secondhand retail is accelerating

The consumer trends creating long-term momentum for thrift.

26:41 – How traditional retailers view thrift

Competition, co-tenancy, and traffic generation.

29:28 – E-commerce versus physical retail

Why brick-and-mortar remains central to the thrift experience.

34:01 – The future of America’s Thrift Stores

What’s next for the company and the broader secondhand category.

How Tahini's is Winning the Race for Growth

For growing brands, expansion is the goal. The real question is how you get there.

At a time when restaurant concepts are racing to sign development deals, enter major markets, and announce aggressive expansion plans, Tahini's is taking a different approach. The Mediterranean fast-casual brand is growing quickly across North America, but the strategy behind that growth is surprisingly disciplined.

Shawn Saraga has spent more than two decades in franchising, helping open over 1,000 locations across multiple brands. That experience has shaped a philosophy that sounds simple but is often ignored: bad growth is more dangerous than no growth at all.

The conversation explores why the company walked away from locations that looked good on paper, why it chose suburban markets before major urban centers, and why franchisees aren't automatically awarded multi-unit rights just because they have the capital.

There's also a broader discussion about what separates successful franchise systems from struggling ones. Education, site selection, operational readiness, and decision-making speed all emerge as recurring themes. As lending standards tighten and operators face greater scrutiny, the brands that win may not be the ones growing the fastest. They may be the ones building the strongest foundation.

For retail real estate professionals, investors, franchise operators, and developers, this discussion offers a useful reminder: the best growth stories aren't built on ambition alone. They're built on discipline, execution, and knowing when to say no.

Because sometimes the smartest expansion strategy isn't finding more deals.

It's passing on the wrong ones.

What You’ll Hear

• Why the fastest-growing brands are often the most disciplined
• How Tahini's is using social media to fuel real-world expansion
• Why saying "no" to the wrong location can be the best growth strategy
• The challenge of balancing speed, execution, and smart decision-making
• How franchise education creates stronger operators and better outcomes
• What it takes to scale a restaurant brand without losing control

Chapters

00:00 – Tahini’s enters its next growth phase

Shawn shares the brand’s expansion plans across the U.S. and Canada.

03:02 – What makes Tahini’s different

A look at the concept, menu innovation, social media strategy, and operating model.

05:38 – Choosing the right markets

How franchise demand and audience data shaped U.S. expansion decisions.

07:39 – Chasing category leaders

Shawn discusses performance expectations and competing in the fast-casual space.

08:22 – Testing the drive-thru model

Why Auburn, Alabama became the brand’s first drive-thru location.

09:07 – Site selection, and development strategy

What Tahini’s is looking for from landlords, brokers, and developers.

10:47 – The Franchise Toolbox

Shawn explains his new book and franchise education platform.

14:31 – Better franchisees make better operators

How education improves site decisions, planning, and execution.

15:08 – First-time owners vs. multi-unit operators

The evolution of franchise recruitment as the brand grows.

16:47 – Moving at deal speed

Why responsiveness is a competitive advantage in retail real estate.

21:28 – Looking ahead

Final thoughts on growth, franchising, and what's next for Tahini’s.

What happens when experience becomes perspective?

Every year, thousands of retail real estate professionals descend on Las Vegas looking for answers.

Where are rents headed? Who's expanding? What's the next opportunity? Which relationships will create the next great deal?

But before the meetings begin and before the convention floor opens, there's a more important question worth asking:

What actually separates the people and companies that consistently outperform everyone else?

Recorded on the eve of ICSC Las Vegas, this special Retail Retold conversation flips the script. Adam Ifshin steps into the host chair and turns the microphone on Chris Ressa, creating a rare opportunity to go beyond the public persona and explore the experiences, decisions, and leadership lessons that shaped his career.

Together, they unpack everything from career-defining pivots and hard-earned management lessons to navigating uncertainty, building high-performing teams, and leading through pressure. The result is a candid conversation about what it takes to grow from dealmaker to operator and why leadership matters more than ever in today's retail real estate environment.

The timing couldn't be better.

Retail real estate is entering a new chapter. Supply remains constrained. Retailers continue to adapt. Landlords are operating from a position of strength. Yet favorable market conditions alone don't create lasting success.

The organizations pulling ahead today are doing something different. They're building teams that trust one another, developing leaders who can perform under pressure, and creating cultures where accountability and ambition coexist.

As the industry gathered in Las Vegas for its biggest week of the year, Adam and Chris explored the principles that drive long-term success on the convention floor, in the boardroom, and across the careers of the people leading the business forward.

The deals made at ICSC mattered.

The people leading them matter even more.

What You’ll Hear

• Why Chris left DLC and what brought him back less than a year later
• The lunch conversation that led to his promotion to COO
• Lessons learned from growing from leasing rep to executive leadership
• The leadership mistake Chris still works on today
• How DLC navigated the uncertainty of COVID without layoffs
• Why culture and trust matter more than real estate expertise alone
• Chris's framework for building teams people want to work for
• The career advice that shaped his approach to leadership and success

Chapters

00:01 — Adam turns the tables

For the first time, Chris Ressa takes the guest seat as Adam Ifshin steps in as host.

01:56 — Finding the right fit

Chris reflects on his early career and the decision that brought him to DLC.

03:10 — The grass isn't always greener

Why leaving DLC became one of the most important lessons of Chris's career.

05:37 — The second chapter

Returning to DLC creates the foundation for years of growth and leadership.

06:13 — A lunch that changed everything

The unexpected conversation that led to Chris becoming COO.

07:27 — Learning from a different perspective

Chris shares what he's learned from working closely with Adam Ifshin.

09:11 — The leadership mistake that never goes away

The challenge of letting go, delegating, and leading through others.

10:45 — Leading through the unknown

How COVID became a defining moment for DLC's leadership team.

13:26 — The age of the operator

Why execution, culture, and leadership are becoming the industry's greatest differentiators..

14:20 — Building teams people want to run through walls for

Chris's philosophy on trust, accountability, and creating winning teams.

16:43 — The hardest worker in the room

The mindset that shaped Chris's career and leadership style.

18:22 — A personal moment

The story behind introducing Adam to Chris's father and why it mattered.

19:22 — Looking back before looking ahead

Reflections on leadership, mentorship, and the people who shape a career.

The retail real estate industry is entering ICSC Las Vegas with momentum, confidence, and a fundamentally different supply-demand dynamic.

Recorded live from the SiriusXM Studios at Wynn Las Vegas ahead of ICSC Las Vegas 2026, this special episode of Retail Retold brings together two of the industry’s most influential voices: Tom McGee, President and CEO of ICSC, and Adam Ifshin, Founder and CEO of DLC.

The conversation dives directly into the biggest themes shaping retail real estate today, including the unprecedented strength of the open-air shopping center sector, the ongoing supply and demand imbalance in retail space, the rise of PropTech and AI, and the resilience of the American consumer.

McGee shares why this year’s ICSC Las Vegas feels different from previous years, pointing to the launch of ICSC+PropTech and ICSC+Women in CRE as major new initiatives designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry. With more than 180 technology companies participating in year one, the discussion highlights how AI, operational technology, and data-driven decision making are rapidly changing how landlords and retailers operate.

Adam and Tom also explore why retail fundamentals remain exceptionally strong despite economic uncertainty. They discuss rising traffic at value-oriented shopping centers, the lack of new retail construction, the importance of employment stability, and how retailers have become more operationally disciplined since the pandemic.

The episode closes with a forward-looking conversation about AI’s impact on the shopping journey, why physical stores remain central to retail, and how consumer expectations will continue to evolve in an increasingly tech-enabled world.

Whether you are attending ICSC Las Vegas or following the future of retail real estate from afar, this episode offers a timely look at where the industry is heading next.

• Why ICSC Las Vegas 2026 feels different from previous years
• The launch of ICSC+PropTech and ICSC+Women in CRE
• Why retail real estate fundamentals remain historically strong
• The ongoing supply and demand imbalance in retail space
• How AI is reshaping retail operations and consumer behavior
• Why physical stores remain critical in an omnichannel world
• The resilience of the American consumer despite inflation concerns
• How retailers became stronger and more disciplined after the pandemic
• Why value-oriented shopping centers continue gaining traffic
• What the future of retail development and leasing may look like

00:00 – Welcome from the SiriusXM Studios at Wynn Las Vegas

02:15 – Why ICSC Las Vegas 2026 feels different

05:48 – The launch of ICSC+PropTech and the future of retail technology

11:32 – Leveraging ICSC’s scale to drive innovation

14:05 – The state of the American consumer

20:40 – Why value retail continues to outperform

24:12 – Retailers becoming more disciplined and resilient post-pandemic

29:08 – The supply and demand imbalance in retail real estate

Retail leasing could be entering a completely different era of speed.

Anyone who has worked on retail leases knows the process can feel endless.

Versions flying back and forth.

Redlines buried in email chains.

Hours spent drafting language that’s been negotiated a hundred times before.

And somehow, despite all the technology in the world, a huge part of the leasing process still feels manual.

David Saltman came back on the podcast to talk about why that’s finally starting to change.

As CEO of LeasePilot, David has spent years focused on one of the least glamorous but most important parts of retail real estate operations: getting leases done faster, cleaner, and with less friction. What started as an automation platform is now evolving alongside AI, and the conversation gets into where the industry may actually be headed next.

Not hypothetically.

Practically.

Chris and David discuss the real operational pain points behind lease negotiations, why institutional knowledge trapped in PDFs and inboxes slows companies down, and how AI could eventually help legal teams, landlords, and retailers make smarter decisions before mistakes happen.

The bigger takeaway is that retail real estate may be entering a new operational era.

For decades, leasing teams accepted delays, repetitive drafting, and fragmented information as part of the business. But once companies begin organizing lease data intelligently and automating repetitive work, the speed of decision-making changes.

And in this business, speed matters.

This conversation isn’t really about replacing people. It’s about removing friction from one of the most frustrating processes in commercial real estate.

What You’ll Hear

• Why AI alone won’t fix broken leasing workflows
• How lease negotiations could become largely automated
• The operational cost of slow lease drafting
• Why retailers are adopting legal automation faster now
• What happens when lease data becomes actionable intelligence?

Chapters

00:01 — Meet David Saltman

David introduces LeasePilot and explains how the platform approaches lease automation.

01:05 — How lease automation actually works

A breakdown of the legal logic, workflows, and operational structure behind LeasePilot’s system.

03:10 — Automation vs. AI

David explains why LeasePilot historically focused on automation; and why AI is changing the conversation.

06:04 — The rise of the “intelligence layer”

How AI could help identify lease conflicts, exclusives, co-tenancy risks, and negotiation issues in real time.

07:48 — Will LeasePilot become an AI company?

A candid discussion about where AI fits into the future of leasing technology.

09:30 — Beyond leases

Why contract automation is expanding into amendments, estoppels, SNDAs, and other real estate documents.

12:16 — The time savings are real

How lease drafting timelines are shrinking from hours to minutes; and why speed changes negotiations.

14:04 — Why tenants are adopting LeasePilot

David explains the growing demand from retailers and tenant-side legal teams.

18:08 — The AI pressure facing every proptech company

Chris challenges David on whether non-AI software can still compete in today’s market.

20:17 — What AI is already doing inside LeasePilot

From LOI extraction to automated abstracts, David shares what’s already live today.

21:26 — The future of AI lease negotiations

Chris and David explore the possibility of AI-driven negotiation strategy and autonomous dealmaking.

25:10 — The untapped value hidden in leasing data

Why the next major opportunity may be using lease intelligence to improve tenant mix and center performance.

26:00 — Final thoughts and where to find LeasePilot

David shares why simplifying leasing workflows still matters, even in an AI-driven future.