Specsavers is an optical chain with over 2,000 locations in 11 countries, including the UK, Australia and Spain. If you live in one of those countries, you're already well aware of the tag line "Should've gone to Specsavers." It shows up regularly in a long-running series of popular (and funny!) commercials. Now the chain is coming to North America.    Phil Gray, Director of Business Development & Property for Specsavers, describes the $100 million investment plan to support the opening of 200 locations across Canada by 2024.  James Cook is the director of retail research in the Americas for JLL.  This episode was recorded live at the ICSC Canada conference in Toronto. Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  Google Podcasts Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Alexa: Say "Enable the Where We Buy skill" Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/ Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061  Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail Theme music is  Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Should've gone to Specsavers - Where We Buy #234

James Cook and his fellow retail researchers visit shopping destinations around the world, interview retail and real estate executives and discuss market research in a fast-paced and fun setting.  James researches retail and real estate for JLL.

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Tom McGee, ICSC President and CEO, along with Dana Telsey CEO of Telsey Advisory Group, dive into emerging trends in retail real estate and consumer behavior, focusing on topics such as the impact of supply issues on leasing activity, the rise of omnichannel retailing, and the importance of local boutiques. They also cover insights on consumer spending, local businesses, and innovative retail strategies. Naveen Jaggi is President of Retail Advisory Services for JLL Americas James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  Google Podcasts Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Alexa: Say "Enable the Where We Buy skill" Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/ Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061  Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail Theme music is  Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.  

Insights and Predictions Pre-ICSC Las Vegas - Where We Buy #291

Sales forecasting is critical for retailers and restaurants. Paul Sill, the head of the Visionary Insights Group at JLL, explains how forecasting models are built and used. The episode also explores how internal and external data, including customer demographics, competitor data, and mobile data, are incorporated into predictive models to assist retailers in making informed real estate decisions. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  Google Podcasts Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Alexa: Say "Enable the Where We Buy skill" Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/ Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061  Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail Theme music is  Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.  

Retail Sales Forecasting 101 - Where We Buy #290

Keisha Virtue gives the latest data on how retail vacancy rates are affected by high demand and a lack of supply. She explores the shift towards smaller store footprints and the impact of inflation on the construction of new shopping centers. She also touches on the varying expansion and contraction across retail sectors, with notable movements in the grocery, discount, and experiential spaces.  Read the latest JLL retail report here:  https://www.us.jll.com/en/trends-and-insights/research/retail-market-outlook James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  Google Podcasts Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Alexa: Say "Enable the Where We Buy skill" Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/ Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061  Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail Theme music is  Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.  

Retail Real Estate's Low Supply and High Demand - Where We Buy #289

Alex Elias is CEO and co-founder of Qloo, an AI platform designed to understand and predict consumer tastes. He discusses how AI-driven prediction models can influence retail strategies and shopping center development, touching on the significance of privacy-centric data collection. This episode also includes a live demonstration of Qloo's affinity model. Sam Delisi is an operating partner at Moderne Ventures, a venture capital firm that has invested in Qloo. He joins to give his take on the state of venture capital and how this technology could be applied to real estate uses.  James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  Google Podcasts Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Alexa: Say "Enable the Where We Buy skill" Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/ Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061  Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail Theme music is  Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.  

Qloo's AI Predicts the Perfect Tenant - Where We Buy #288

 Meet Cindy, a virtual spokesperson designed to forge stronger connections between shoppers and shopping centers. Cindy was created using AI tools, but isn't herself an AI. This episode explores the motivations behind Cindy's creation. The team behind Cindy delves into the challenges and successes of bringing a virtual influencer to life, emphasizing the potential of virtual influencers in building trust and authenticity. This conversation also touches on the technological and creative processes involved in designing Cindy's appearance and personality, aiming to reflect a broad appeal while maintaining a specific charm.  - Liz Glosson is Director of Account Management at The Dealey Group. - Ashlyn Booth is Senior Vice President, Director of Strategy & Marketing for Retail Property Management at JLL. - Corbett Guest is President and Chief Strategy Officer at Imaginuity.  To see Cindy in action, watch a video version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d9qdoU9wJw&t;=2468s James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe:   Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  Google Podcasts Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Alexa: Say "Enable the Where We Buy skill" Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/ Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061  Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail Theme music is  Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.  

Should've gone to Specsavers - Where We Buy #234

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