The questions everyone new to retail real estate needs to ask.

Sometimes the best conversations start with someone willing to ask questions.

That's exactly what happened when Chris Ressa handed the microphone to DLC Marketing Coordinator Jordyn Levine.

Retail Retold usually features founders, CEOs, and industry leaders. This time, the conversation turned inward. Drawing on conversations with Chris, producing the podcast each week, and experiencing retail real estate through fresh eyes, Jordyn asked the questions many people outside the industry are curious about. Why do people think online shopping dominates retail? What actually creates value? Why do physical stores still matter? And how will AI reshape retail real estate?

The conversation is about more than the answers. It's a reflection of a culture where curiosity is encouraged, ideas can come from anywhere, and asking thoughtful questions is just as important as having the answers. That mindset leads to better conversations, stronger teams, and ultimately, better business.

Chris shares why physical retail continues to outperform common perception, why shopping centers are intentionally built as ecosystems rather than collections of stores, and why technology should enhance, not replace, human judgment. From social media and site selection to omnichannel retail and digitally native brands opening stores, the discussion explores the forces shaping retail today while keeping people at the center of every decision.

The conversation also offers advice for anyone entering retail real estate. Chris explains why understanding trade areas, developing strong people skills, and staying intellectually curious are more valuable than trying to have all the answers. His closing thought captures the spirit of both the discussion and the culture behind it: be curious before you're certain.

This isn't just a conversation about the future of retail. It's a reminder that the best ideas often begin with someone curious enough to ask the next question.

What You’ll Hear

Why people overestimate the impact of e-commerce on retail
Whether social media is changing where retailers choose to open
What physical stores still offer that technology can't replace
How landlords build shopping centers that work as complete ecosystems
Where AI fits into the future of retail real estate
Chris's predictions for the next decade of retail

Chapters

00:00 — A different kind of Retail Retold

Chris hands the microphone to DLC Marketing Coordinator Jordyn Levine for a conversation driven by curiosity.

02:08 — Why retail is more misunderstood than ever

Jordyn kicks off the conversation by exploring why consumers continue to overestimate the impact of e-commerce on physical retail.

08:34 — Is social media shaping the future of retail?

A discussion on how digital discovery is influencing consumer behavior and retail strategy.

15:16 — Why physical stores still matter

Chris explains what brick-and-mortar offers that technology can't replace.

22:48 — Building shopping centers that actually work

Jordyn shifts the conversation to what makes a shopping center successful and how landlords build complementary tenant mixes.

30:15 — Can AI pick the next great retail location?

Chris discusses where AI is transforming site selection and where human judgment still leads.

37:42 — Looking ahead

Chris shares the trends he believes will shape the next decade of retail.

44:50 — Closing thoughts

A conversation about curiosity, continuous learning, and the value of fresh perspectives.