Episodios

  • Looking Back on the Road to Leadership

    Looking Back on the Road to Leadership
    Jun 4 2026

    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.
    Más Menos
    20 m
  • What was Impossible to Ignore at ICSC Las Vegas

    What was Impossible to Ignore at ICSC Las Vegas
    May 29 2026
    The predictions that looked a lot more like reality on the show floor.Everyone arrives at ICSC with predictions. The real question is which ones survive contact with 25,000 people on the show floor.Chris Ressa and CBRE's Karly Iacono weren't just attending ICSC Las Vegas. They were in the middle of it. Between meetings, deal discussions, and serving as panelists at the inaugural ICSC+PROPTech event, they had a front-row seat to the conversations shaping retail real estate in 2026.One of the biggest takeaways? The relationship between cap rates and interest rates is no longer as straightforward as many expected. Despite elevated borrowing costs, strong demand for retail assets continues to support pricing. With more capital chasing a limited supply of quality opportunities, retail fundamentals are increasingly driving investment decisions.That reality reinforces another trend both hosts have been watching closely: the rise of the operator. Rather than relying on financial engineering, investors are focused on creating value through leasing, rent growth, and hands-on asset management. In today's market, execution matters.The conversation also turns to AI, which surfaced in meeting after meeting throughout the week. Surprisingly, the most interesting discussions weren't about corporate technology initiatives. They were about how people are using AI in their daily lives to improve productivity, make better decisions, and create more balance between work and life.Karly also highlights the growing influence of healthcare tenants in retail real estate, comparing today's medical and wellness concepts to the rapid expansion of quick-service restaurants a decade ago. Above all, ICSC 2026 underscored the enduring value of being together in person. With more than 25,000 attendees, packed events, and nonstop networking, the energy was impossible to ignore. In an increasingly digital world, the appetite for real-world connection may be one of the strongest signals yet for the future of brick-and-mortar retail.What You’ll HearWhy the mood at ICSC felt fundamentally different this yearWhat 25,000 people in Vegas signaled about retail real estateWhy retailers are doubling down on physical storesHow the return of the operator is reshaping the marketWhy AI moved from buzzword to business conversationWhat the demand for in-person experiences means for retail's futureChapters00:00 — The energy coming out of ICSC VegasWhy this year's conference felt bigger, busier, and more optimistic than expected.02:40 — Did we get our predictions right?Chris and Karly revisit their pre-ICSC outlook and compare it to what actually happened on the ground.03:50 — Retailers are spending againThe surprising scale of capital flowing back into physical stores and what it signals about retailer confidence.05:40 — Why store investment matters nowHow retailers are shifting resources away from infrastructure and back into the customer experience.06:45 — The net effective rent storyWhy tenant investment is becoming one of the biggest drivers of value creation for landlords.09:35 — A landlord and broker debate underwritingChris and Karly challenge each other's views on NOI, value creation, and long-term ownership economics.14:40 — The return of conviction in retailWhat retailer spending says about the future of physical stores and why confidence appears to be growing.15:25 — Cap rates, operators, and a changing investment landscapeWhy execution matters more than ever and how investors are evaluating retail assets differently.25:25 — AI enters the mainstream conversationHow artificial intelligence moved from buzzword to everyday discussion across the conference.28:40 — Healthcare's growing role in retail real estateWhy medical and wellness users are becoming increasingly important retail tenants.33:25 — What 25,000 people tell us about physical retailThe broader takeaway from ICSC and why in-person experiences remain a powerful force in the market.
    Más Menos
    32 m
  • Inside ICSC Las Vegas 2026: Why Retail Real Estate Has Never Been Stronger

    Inside ICSC Las Vegas 2026: Why Retail Real Estate Has Never Been Stronger
    May 18 2026

    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.

    What You’ll Hear
    • 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

    Chapters

    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
    Más Menos
    22 m
  • The Pregame Show for Retail Real Estate’s Super Bowl

    The Pregame Show for Retail Real Estate’s Super Bowl
    May 17 2026
    From the SiriusXM Studio at Wynn: Retail’s Next Big MoveBroadcast live from the SiriusXM Studios at the Wynn Las Vegas and kicking off ICSC Las Vegas, Retail Retold stepped onto one of the biggest stages in the industry for a special conversation between Chris Ressa and DLC Founder and CEO Adam Ifshin. As Adam put it during the recording: “What is more fitting for Retail Retold to be the pregame show for the Super Bowl of retail real estate?”The episode captures the energy, optimism, and momentum surrounding retail real estate as thousands of industry leaders gather in Las Vegas for the year’s most important dealmaking event.Chris and Adam dive into DLC’s newly released thought leadership campaign, The Rent Is Next, and unpack why retail fundamentals may be stronger today than at any point in the last 35 years. Adam explains why years of underbuilding, limited available space, and stronger retailer performance are creating mounting pressure on rents across the country. He also shares why he believes retail cap rates still have room to compress as more institutional and foreign capital rotates back into the sector.The conversation moves beyond market fundamentals into the future of the business itself, from the evolving role of operators to the growing importance of redevelopment, densification, and platform-driven value creation. Adam also gives his perspective on artificial intelligence, why AI will accelerate productivity rather than eliminate opportunity, and how the best operators will use technology to scale smarter and faster.The episode closes with a rapid-fire discussion on mixed-use development, capital markets, the next generation entering the industry, and DLC’s long-term vision to become one of the largest owner-operators of open-air retail in America.What You’ll HearWhy Adam Ifshin calls ICSC Las Vegas the “Super Bowl of retail real estate” and why Retail Retold belonged in the SiriusXM Studios at WynnThe story behind DLC’s newest thought leadership campaign: The Rent Is NextWhy retail rents may finally be entering a major growth cycle after decades of stagnationHow limited new development is reshaping the future of open-air retailAdam’s outlook on cap rates, institutional capital, and why investors are rotating back into retailWhy the “age of the operator” is real — and what separates great operators from everyone elseHow DLC evolved beyond ownership into construction, architecture, and platform-driven servicesAdam’s take on AI, productivity, and why leadership matters more than technology itselfRapid-fire predictions on mixed-use, foreign capital, retail jobs, AI, and the future of CREDLC’s vision to become one of the largest owner-operators of open-air retail in AmericaChapters00:00 – Live from the SiriusXM Studios at Wynn Las VegasChris and Adam set the stage from ICSC Las Vegas and discuss why this feels like the “pregame show for the Super Bowl of retail real estate.”01:35 – Adam Ifshin’s origin storyFrom starting a business in his college dorm room to launching DLC during the savings and loan crisis.07:45 – “The Rent Is Next”Why retail fundamentals are stronger than they’ve been in decades — and why rents are finally moving.12:45 – Cap rates, capital flows and investor sentimentWhy retail real estate is no longer sitting in the industry’s “penalty box.”16:15 – The next risk facing retail real estateAdam breaks down inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and the long-term risk of overbuilding.19:10 – What separates great operators todayWhy the best teams are adapting differently in today’s retail environment.22:50 – AI and the future of commercial real estateAdam shares why AI is a productivity accelerator — not a replacement for people.28:15 – Real or hype? Rapid fireMixed-use, foreign capital, cap rates, AI, retail jobs and more.34:30 – What DLC believed before others didAdam explains why low rents became one of DLC’s greatest competitive advantages.37:00 – Lessons learned and playing offenseHow DLC scaled aggressively coming out of the pandemic.38:30 – Why DLC expanded into construction and architectureThe strategy behind Renovo and NWS — and how the platform continues evolving.43:30 – The future of DLCAdam shares his vision for the next decade of growth across DLC, Renovo and NWS.
    Más Menos
    47 m
  • Can AI Negotiate a Lease?

    Can AI Negotiate a Lease?
    May 14 2026

    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.
    Más Menos
    28 m
  • AI is Coming for Retail Operations Faster Than You Think

    AI is Coming for Retail Operations Faster Than You Think
    May 7 2026

    What does an AI-powered retail organization actually look like?

    Retail real estate has spent decades trying to optimize speed, scale, and execution. Now AI is forcing the industry to rethink all three.

    Surfaice Pro is taking this to a different level using mission-critical systems engineering to solve for issues along the store lifecycle, from leasing, through construction, and real estate. Joe Valeri, and Alim Uderbekov, co-founders of Surfaice.pro explain to Chris Ressa where AI is actually gaining traction inside retail organizations and why the operational side of retail may be changing faster than most people realize.

    Moving beyond AI buzzwords, Joe and Alim are speaking the language of retailers and using practical applications to make the case that the next major competitive advantage in retail won’t just come from merchandising or location strategy. It’ll come from operational speed. The retailers opening stores faster, spotting risks earlier, and making smarter portfolio decisions in real time will separate themselves from the rest of the market.

    The discussion also gets into the uncomfortable realities surrounding AI adoption: fear inside organizations, skepticism from operators, software fatigue, and the growing pressure executives feel to “do something” with AI before competitors move ahead.

    One thing becomes clear throughout the conversation: AI in retail is no longer theoretical. The question now is who adopts it early enough to benefit from it and who waits too long.

    What You’ll Hear

    • Why AI adoption in retail is moving faster than most people realize
    • How retailers are cutting manual work out of lease administration
    • The difference between generic AI tools and retail-specific systems
    • Why speed is becoming a competitive advantage in store development
    • How AI can identify project delays before they happen
    • The real conversation retailers are having internally about AI and jobs

    Chapters

    00:01 — Meet the co-founders of Surfaice.pro

    Joe Valeri and Alim Uderbekov explain how they’re building AI for the full store lifecycle.

    02:48 — Why retail became the perfect AI battleground

    Why the speed and scale of store development made retail an ideal fit for AI adoption.

    04:27 — The data retailers are sitting on

    How leases, contracts, and construction documents are becoming operational intelligence.

    05:51 — From site selection to store closeout

    Breaking down what “store lifecycle management” really means.

    07:01 — The three things every retailer wants

    Speed, risk reduction, and smarter operational decision-making.

    10:31 — AI overload is already here

    Chris challenges the flood of AI tools entering the industry.

    16:35 — Retail’s AI tipping point

    How close the industry may be to large-scale adoption.

    20:25 — Why adoption is harder than it sounds

    The internal hesitation, budget conversations, and fear surrounding AI.

    23:56 — The fear factor nobody wants to talk about

    How companies are thinking about jobs, efficiency, and operational change.

    25:37 — Inside Surfaice.pro’s real-world rollout

    How JD Sports is already using AI to streamline operations.

    29:54 — Why generic AI won’t cut it

    The difference between broad AI tools and retail-specific systems.

    35:30 — What AI could unlock for retail

    A bigger conversation around creativity, efficiency, and operational scale.

    37:40 — The cost of standing still

    Why waiting too long on AI may become a competitive risk.
    Más Menos
    39 m
  • Show Me the Deals: What’s Ahead for ICSC Las Vegas

    Show Me the Deals: What’s Ahead for ICSC Las Vegas
    Apr 30 2026

    As ICSC Las Vegas approaches, one theme is expected to rise above the rest: dealmaking.

    On the surface, the story looks simple. Retail fundamentals remain strong. Vacancy is near historic lows. Construction costs continue to limit new supply. Capital is returning to the sector.

    But beneath that headline, the real conversation begins.

    Demand is building from every direction. Buyers have capital to deploy. Retailers want to grow. Owners with strong-performing assets know what they hold. That dynamic is set to shape conversations across the convention floor, inside booths, and behind closed doors throughout ICSC Las Vegas.

    Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono explore how underwriting has evolved. In prior cycles, many deals leaned on cap rate compression and favorable financing. Today, value creation is increasingly tied to rent growth, leasing strategy, traffic, tenant performance, and net operating income.

    Chris calls it a return to the age of the operator, where execution matters more than financial engineering.

    While headlines may focus on rates, politics, or broader uncertainty, sentiment inside retail real estate remains constructive. Investors want to buy. Retailers want to expand. Operators are looking to create value.

    The question heading into Las Vegas is simple:

    Where are the deals?

    What You’ll Hear

    • Why strong fundamentals are creating more competition, not more deals
    • How the shift back to fundamentals is changing how deals get done
    • Why execution is replacing financial engineering as the driver of value
    • How retailers are approaching growth with more discipline
    • Where AI fits into the conversation and why it’s still early
    • What’s really driving sentiment heading into ICSC

    Chapters

    00:07 – setting the stage for ICSC Las Vegas

    Framing the biggest themes expected to drive conversations in Las Vegas

    02:00 – strong fundamentals, limited supply

    Why low vacancy and high demand are creating a supply crunch

    03:47 – capital is building, pressure is rising

    Increased allocations to retail and the challenge of finding deals

    05:14 – why retail is still winning

    Comparing retail to other asset classes and where it stands today

    06:40 – the bid ask gap

    Why buyers and sellers are still not fully aligned on pricing

    08:04 – underwriting is changing

    The shift away from cap rate compression and financial engineering

    10:03 – the return of the operator

    Why execution and fundamentals are back at the center

    12:17 – how retailers are thinking about growth

    Disciplined expansion and smarter decision making

    13:13 – geopolitical noise vs real impact

    Why macro headlines are not driving decision making

    17:19 – AI enters the conversation

    Where AI is showing up and where it is still early

    23:41 – what will actually dominate ICSC Las Vegas

    Why it all comes back to dealmaking
    Más Menos
    25 m
  • Retail Leasing in Focus: Trends, Talent, and What’s Ahead

    Retail Leasing in Focus: Trends, Talent, and What’s Ahead
    Apr 23 2026

    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.
    Más Menos
    48 m