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. Each week our guests share stories of what worked, what didn’t, the ups and downs – giving the audience a critical set of tools needed for business success. Join host Chris Ressa and new guests weekly for amazing insights and thought-provoking stories. Brought to you by DLC Management Corp.

Retail Retold is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 390 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Retail Retold, a business show with 390 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #394

  The Dark Horse of Consumer Spending: Is Retail Paying Attention?

  Aug 19, 202640 minS1

  The Dark Horse of Consumer Spending Retail is obsessed with the next consumer. What does Gen Z want? How will younger shoppers change stores? Which brands, experiences, and trends will win their attention? But while everyone looks ahead, retail may be overlooking one of the most powerful consumers in the market right now. Gen X accounted for $15.2 trillion in global consumer spending in 2025 - that's more than the entire spending power of China Gen X are in their peak earning years, but that’s only part of the story. Many are making purchasing decisions for households that stretch in both directions, from their children to their aging parents. That makes Gen X more than a valuable demographic. It gives them outsized influence over where money is being spent and what consumers need from the places they visit. And we may already be seeing the impact in retail real estate. The growth of service tenants, demand for health and wellness concepts, the value placed on convenience and quality, and the evolution of shopping centers into places where consumers can accomplish multiple things in one trip all align with the needs of a generation with money to spend and very little time to waste. “Gen X is the overlooked generation that is kind of a spending dark horse,” said Natalie Chambers, Executive Creative Director at The Dealey Group in her conversation on Retail Retold with Chris Ressa. “Retail real estate, in particular, should pay attention to what Gen X is looking for.” Because understanding who is spending is only the beginning. The bigger opportunity is understanding what that spending power changes: the brands that grow, the services consumers seek out, the tenant mixes that drive repeat visits, and ultimately, what makes a shopping center more relevant to the communities it serves. Gen X may be the forgotten generation. Retail can’t afford to forget about them. What You’ll Hear Why Gen X is retail’s “dark horse” The power of the “sandwich generation” What’s driving the rise of services in retail Why Gen X may be the bridge between analog life and AI The connection between Gen X and the longevity boom The growing value and influence of consumer reviews How shopping centers are evolving for multiple generations Why intentional spending is gaining ground Chapters 01:16 — The consumer signals worth watching Natalie breaks down the Dealy Group’s mid-year trend work and the signals that put Gen X on the radar. 01:52 — Why Gen X is suddenly having a moment From fashion to pop culture, Gen X influence is showing up in places marketers may not expect. 03:16 — The $15.2 trillion wake-up call The spending data that changes the conversation about how much attention Gen X deserves. 04:51 — The consumer in the middle of everything Why being the “sandwich generation” gives Gen X influence over spending across multiple age groups. 07:38 — What Gen X actually values Quality, efficiency and clarity; and why “worth the money” may matter more than simply buying more. 09:02 — Is Gen X driving the rise of services? Natalie connects Gen X behavior to service-oriented leasing, while Chris offers another explanation for the shift. 12:12 — Why repeat visits matter How landlords are using service tenants to build retail ecosystems consumers need to visit again and again. 13:08 — The generation between analog and AI Natalie argues Gen X occupies a unique cultural position. Chris challenges whether that advantage will last. 18:36 — Why analog is back Vinyl, film, BMX bikes and nostalgia reveal a growing appetite for experiences outside the digital world. 25:01 — Longevity is becoming retail Why wellness concepts focused on staying healthier longer could be another expression of Gen X demand. 27:24 — Do online reviews deserve our trust? Chris and Natalie debate who actually writes reviews; and whether those people represent the consumers relying on them. 35:02 — Designing retail for three generations at once Why green space, restaurants, services and gathering places can solve a very practical Gen X problem. 36:49 — Consumers are getting more intentional Functional gifts, planning around sales and buying for utility point toward a more deliberate spending mindset. 37:43 — The Gen X opportunity Natalie’s final argument: retail real estate should pay closer attention to what this overlooked but influential consumer wants.

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  Episode #393

  Why Retail Rents Are Rising and New Supply Is Still Years Away

  Aug 12, 202632 minS1

  Retailers want to grow. The question is what they’ll pay for the right space. Retailers want more stores. Vacancy remains historically low. And meaningful new retail development is still years away. So what does that mean for the next five years of retail real estate? What are the forces today that are driving the future? At the center of the August What’s in Store conversation between CBRE’s Karly Iacono and Chris Ressa is a fundamental supply and demand imbalance. Retailers continue to look for opportunities to grow, but the economics of large-scale new development remain challenging. Construction costs, land availability, interest rates and exit values all factor into the equation. But there is one lever that ultimately has to move to make more projects pencil: rent. And that shift is already underway. The question is how far it can go, and what happens along the way. Karly and Chris dig into what rising net effective rents and limited new supply could mean for existing retail real estate, and whether retailers have more room to pay for the locations they really want. They also explore why the physical store has become more valuable to retailers, not just as a place to generate sales, but as a critical part of how brands reach and serve their customers. The changing market is influencing more than rents. Retailers are rethinking the traditional store prototype, using better data to make decisions about where to open, how big to go and which formats make sense in different markets. The result is a much more nuanced approach to expansion, from flagships and large-format stores to smaller concepts, outlets and pop-ups. And as competition for the right space increases, the way deals get done is evolving too. Lease negotiations are changing, retailers are planning their pipelines years in advance, and both sides are looking for ways to move from opportunity to open store faster. Where does all of this lead? The conditions shaping retail real estate today could define the market for years to come. What’s changing now, what still needs to change, and what it could mean for the next five years. What You’ll Hear Why rents need to rise before meaningful new retail development returns How low vacancy is making the right locations more valuable Why retailers are getting more intentional about where and how they grow How better data is creating more conviction around store decisions Why physical stores matter more than the headlines suggest How the landlord and tenant dynamic is shifting Chapters 03:10 - When does new retail development come back? Chris explains why rent, not retailer demand, is the biggest hurdle standing between today’s market and meaningful new shopping center construction. 05:45 - The rent growth hiding in plain sight Face rents don’t tell the whole story as TI packages, retailer investment and net effective rents reshape deal economics. 08:36 - Does geography change the development equation? Land availability, Sun Belt growth, interest rates and construction costs determine where new projects have the best chance of penciling. 11:12 - The physical store is more valuable than the headlines suggest Chris argues that the market still underestimates what stores do for retailers and their relationship with consumers. 12:03 - Retail’s one-prototype era is over Retailers are using data to make smarter decisions about formats, distribution, clustering and market-specific store strategies. 16:41 - What younger consumers reveal about physical retail Karly’s New York retail tour with her kids shows how pop-ups, flagships and social media can work together to drive real-world shopping. 21:09 - Lease negotiations are moving back toward balance After years of tenant-friendly movement, landlords and retailers are becoming more pragmatic about non-monetary provisions and getting deals done. 24:24 - Why the store-opening timeline still needs work Retailers are planning pipelines years in advance because leases, municipalities and multiple decision-makers make timelines difficult to compress. 27:02 - The lease provision seeing the biggest shift Use restrictions have become significantly more flexible as shopping center tenant mixes continue to evolve. 29:28 - The local entrepreneur has changed More founders are thinking about scale, franchising, private equity and monetization before they even open location number one.

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  Episode #392

  The Real Value of the Bank Branch

  Aug 7, 202611 minS1

  In a World Using Less Cash, Banks Keep Opening Branches! Why? Bank branches are everywhere, even as more of our banking happens online. You can deposit a check from your phone, transfer money in seconds, and apply for a loan without ever walking into a bank. Yet some of the country’s largest banks and credit unions continue investing heavily in physical locations. So what makes the bank branch so valuable? The role of the branch has changed. Many of the routine transactions that once required a teller can now happen digitally. That leaves the physical location to do something more important: attract deposits, acquire customers, build trust, serve businesses, and create deeper relationships. Chris Ressa sees a strong parallel to retail. For years, ecommerce was expected to make physical stores less relevant. Then digital customer acquisition became more expensive, and retailers learned that stores could actually make their entire business stronger. Physical and digital weren’t competing. They were working together. Banks are seeing the same thing. A customer might open an account online and do most of their banking from a phone. But they still drive past their local branch. They know the name. They know where to go when they need help. That physical presence creates familiarity and trust that can turn one account into a much larger, longer relationship. And that’s where the economics get interesting. For landlords, investors, and anyone in retail real estate, foot traffic doesn’t tell the full story of a bank branch. Deposits, customer acquisition, retention, and long-term relationships can be far more important. As banking becomes more digital, the branch isn’t disappearing. Its purpose is changing, and that helps explain why banks still want four walls on great corners. What You’ll Hear Why banks still want physical branches in a digital world How technology actually changed the value of the bank branch Why deposits and customer relationships matter more than foot traffic What banks are learning from the evolution of physical retail Why the branch and the app are stronger together How great real estate can become a customer acquisition tool Chapters Chapters 00:00 — Why are banks opening new branches? The contradiction between digital banking and continued investment in physical locations. 01:45 — The changing role of the bank branch Technology has changed what happens inside a branch and where its value comes from. 03:15 — Moving toward higher-margin relationships Why branches can focus less on routine transactions and more on valuable customer relationships. 04:10 — Why deposits drive the economics Deposits are the raw material of banking, and physical relationships can make them stickier. 05:05 — Customer acquisition costs are the new rent Why acquiring customers through physical locations can compete with increasingly expensive digital channels. 06:25 — What banks can learn from retail The evolution of bank branches looks a lot like what physical retail experienced with ecommerce. 08:00 — Building deeper banking relationships How branches can help turn one account into a long-term, multi-product relationship. 09:25 — The branch and the app work together Why digital and physical banking can strengthen each other instead of competing. 10:30 — More than four walls in a community How branches create trust, visibility, and a lasting physical presence in local markets. 11:19 — Why physical branches still matter What continued investment in branches says about the value of physical banking.

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  Episode #391

  Retail Retold Replay: The Store That Changed Five Below Forever

  Jul 28, 202654 minS1

  What if one real estate decision changed the trajectory of an entire company? Back in 2021, the retail industry was navigating supply chain disruptions, soaring construction costs, and an uncertain recovery. Today, this conversation with Five Below Vice President of Real Estate Zach Minteer feels less like a snapshot in time and more like a masterclass in building a resilient retail business. This replay features Chris and Zach discussing one of retail's most remarkable growth stories. Before Five Below became a national retailer with thousands of locations, it was a startup learning hard lessons about growth, operations, and disciplined decision-making. Zach shares how one store in Downingtown, Pennsylvania became the turning point that helped shape the company's future. The conversation explores why Five Below intentionally slowed its expansion after growing too quickly, completely reimagined its store prototype, and took a calculated risk on a larger format that ultimately became the blueprint for the brand's explosive growth. Zach walks through the real estate strategy, landlord negotiations, site selection process, and partnership required to make that first prototype store a reality. It's also fascinating to revisit the industry's perspective on post-pandemic consumer demand, construction costs, supply chain disruptions, leasing momentum, and the rapid acceleration of omnichannel retail. Some challenges have evolved, while others remain just as relevant for retailers, owners, and investors. Beyond the market discussion, Zach shares what it was like joining Five Below as one of the company's earliest employees, helping scale the business from just a few dozen stores to a publicly traded retailer, and why preserving company culture matters as much as opening new locations. More than a time capsule, this conversation is a reminder that while retail continues to evolve, disciplined growth, strong partnerships, and thoughtful real estate decisions never go out of style. What You’ll Hear Why Five Below paused its growth to build a stronger foundation The story behind the prototype store that changed the company's future Lessons on scaling a retailer from startup to public company How landlords and retailers partnered through uncertain market conditions Why company culture becomes even more important as organizations grow Timeless real estate and leadership lessons that still apply today Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Zach Mintier Chris welcomes the Five Below real estate leader and longtime industry friend. 09:20 – Retail's post-pandemic comeback A look back at the surprisingly strong recovery, leasing activity, and consumer demand. 18:30 – Construction costs and supply chain challenges Why retailers and landlords had to collaborate to keep deals moving. 27:45 – The story of Downingtown begins How one Pennsylvania store became a defining moment for Five Below. 31:20 – Pressing pause to rethink growth Why Five Below halted expansion, redesigned its stores, and changed course. 35:30 – Negotiating the impossible deal Finding the right site, convincing leadership, and partnering with the landlord. 45:30 – Opening day changes everything The launch of the first larger-format Five Below and the customer response. 48:45 – From startup to retail powerhouse Zach reflects on scaling Five Below while preserving the culture that fueled its success. 51:30 – Retail wisdom Favorite retailers, grilling, Target aisles, and Chris' signature rapid-fire qu

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  Episode #390

  What Is Retail Traffic Really Telling Us?

  Jul 23, 202628 minS1

  The consumer behaviors behind today's strongest retail trends and what they mean for retailers, landlords, and shopping centers. Retail traffic is telling a very different story than most headlines suggest. According to Ethan Chernofsky , Chief Marketing Officer at Placer.ai , consumers aren't abandoning stores. They're redefining how they use them. One of the biggest shifts is happening inside everyday shopping trips. Consumers are visiting more retailers within the same category, particularly grocery, while spending less time in each store. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, retailers with a clearly defined value proposition are winning over today's more intentional shopper. Chris Ressa and Ethan explore why physical retail has become more valuable, not less. While ecommerce remains an essential part of the customer journey, stores are becoming even more important as fulfillment hubs, discovery engines, and places where brands can build lasting customer relationships. Stores remain the most profitable channel for many retailers while often delivering the best value for consumers. That alignment creates a powerful long term advantage that extends well beyond convenience. Even mall traffic continues to surprise analysts, especially among younger shoppers. Gen Z is proving that physical retail still serves an important social function, reinforcing the growing importance of placemaking and creating destinations people actually want to visit. Whether it's Starbucks extending pumpkin spice season, Dairy Queen creating a spring traffic surge with Free Cone Day, or retailers capitalizing on major cultural moments, the lesson is clear: great operators don't simply react to consumer behavior, they influence it. For retailers, landlords, and anyone watching the future of physical commerce, the message is simple: stores matter more than ever. The retailers and shopping centers that understand changing consumer behavior, and respond with intentional experiences, convenience, and operational excellence, will be the ones that continue to outperform. What You’ll Hear Why the smartest retailers create demand instead of waiting for it The surprising shift in how consumers are shopping today Why physical stores are becoming more valuable, not less How Starbucks and Dairy Queen turn ordinary days into traffic drivers Why Gen Z is spending more time at malls The comeback stories proving great brands are hard to beat Chapters 00:00 – Meet Ethan Chernofsky How Placer.ai uses location data to understand consumer behavior. 01:08 – The new rules of retail traffic Why shoppers are making more trips while spending less time in stores. 04:58 – Why physical stores keep winning The overlooked value physical retail creates for retailers and consumers alike. 09:41 – Discovery still happens in stores Why the in-store experience continues to drive purchases and loyalty. 12:13 – Gen Z is bringing malls back What younger shoppers reveal about the future of placemaking. 13:42 – Convenience vs. placemaking When retailers should prioritize speed—and when they should encourage longer visits. 17:19 – Retail lessons from around the world How culture shapes shopping behavior across global markets. 18:45 – Back-to-school traffic winners The retailers and brands positioned to benefit this season. 20:48 – How great retailers create demand What Starbucks, Dairy Queen, and other brands can teach every retailer. 23:24 – The traffic stories nobody saw coming Unexpected trends shaping home improvement and retail performance. 26:12 – Never count out great brands Why Target, Starbucks, and other leaders continue to find their way back. 27:23 – Looking ahead What today's traffic trends could mean for the holiday shopping season.

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