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.

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