Retail Retold

DLC Management Corp.

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.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Why grocery keeps winning when retail keeps changing

    Why is grocery-anchored retail still the most resilient asset class in 2026?Grocery-anchored retail continues to prove why it remains one of the most durable and coveted asset classes in commercial real estate. Despite persistent narratives around online grocery, delivery economics, and shifting consumer behavior, grocery real estate entered 2026 from a position of strength, not disruption. Sales growth in 2025 outpaced inflation, signaling more than just higher food costs. Consumers are spending more inside grocery stores, cooking at home, and prioritizing value over convenience. While online grocery sales continue to rise, they now represent roughly 17 percent of total spend, a level that feels elevated and increasingly close to a plateau. Delivery fees, reverse logistics, and thin margins reinforce a fundamental truth: for most shoppers, value wins. The tactile nature of grocery shopping, selecting produce, choosing cuts of meat, and controlling quality creates a level of stickiness unmatched in other retail categories. From a real estate perspective, grocery stores remain exceptional traffic drivers and increasingly valuable anchors. Grocers are reinvesting heavily in their locations on a steady cadence, often without landlord contributions, strengthening centers while protecting long-term performance. That reinvestment comes with expectations, as landlords are pressured to keep common areas and surrounding spaces competitive. When a grocer leaves, outcomes become highly market-specific, ranging from strong backfill demand to full asset repositioning depending on competition, capital availability, and consumer density. Specialty grocers are having a moment, and it is not confined to coastal markets. Ethnically diverse concepts, fresh-focused operators, value-driven formats, and curated regional brands are scaling nationally. These retailers are transforming historically local shopping behaviors into repeatable, high-performing models that attract both loyal core customers and curious new shoppers. Even Amazon’s retreat from its Fresh concept underscores the sector’s resilience. Grocery remains intensely competitive, operationally complex, and deeply rooted in experience, service, and value. The takeaway is clear: brick-and-mortar grocery is not just surviving. It is reinforcing its role as one of retail real estate’s most reliable foundations What You’ll HearWhy grocery continues to anchor retail real estate - A clear-eyed look at why grocery remains one of the most stable, high-performing asset classes despite years of disruption headlines.How consumer spending is shaping the grocery sector - Why sales growth outpaced inflation and what that reveals about value, at-home consumption, and evolving shopping behavior.The real story behind online grocery growth - A candid discussion on delivery costs, margins, and why convenience has limits in a value-driven category.What makes grocery shopping so “sticky” - The human behaviors, from produce to protein, that keep consumers returning to physical stores.Why grocers keep reinvesting in brick-and-mortar locations - How ongoing store reinvestment strengthens centers and creates long-term benefits for landlords.What happens when a grocery anchor leaves a center - Why backfill, repositioning, and outcomes vary dramatically depending on market...

    27 min

  2. 11 FEB

    How to Get a Retail Lease Done in 14 Days

    What does it take to win a competitive retail LOI today?Retail leases are moving fast again, and in East Tennessee, they are moving faster than most people think is possible. Chris Ressa talks with Lindsey Barden, founder of Dark Horse CRE, a tenant-rep-only broker covering Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities. Her view from the ground is simple: vacancy is extremely low, the best spaces trade off-market, and retailers are routinely battling multiple LOIs for the same box. In the past six months, Lindsey says 80-to-90 percent of her deals have been competitive, forcing brands to show up ready to commit, pay closer to asking, and cut through internal red tape. Landlords are prioritizing certainty and speed, especially in second-generation space. The tenants winning deals are the ones asking for less work and fewer dollars from ownership, tightening timelines, and moving from “perfect protections” to more balanced lease terms. The proof point is a Crunch Fitness anchor lease that went from discovery to signed lease in roughly two weeks. No traditional LOI. Basic terms handled by email. Architects and contractors brought in immediately. Approvals happening across time zones. A two-level layout that required creative planning, not a cookie-cutter prototype. Two motivated parties decided the deal mattered, and executed like it. If you want a takeaway: stop treating leasing like a slow process. Treat it like a race. Speed wins. What You’ll HearWhy East Tennessee is one of the tightest retail markets in the country — and what low vacancy really means for tenants trying to expand.What 80 to 90 percent competitive deal flow looks like in practice — multiple LOIs, limited second-generation space, and constant off-market conversations.How landlords are prioritizing certainty over creativity — why minimal TI, faster approvals, and fewer contingencies are winning deals.What retailers must change internally to compete — consolidating corporate review, accelerating decision-making, and committing earlier.How a Crunch Fitness anchor lease went from tour to signed in 14 days — no traditional LOI, creative problem solving on a two-level box, and approvals happening across time zones.Why speed is the ultimate differentiator in today’s leasing environment — and how motivated parties can compress timelines dramatically.A thoughtful look at retail saturation vs. market expansion — coffee, chicken, gyms, and how to separate durable concepts from passing trends.The mindset shift required to win in 2026 retail real estate — treat leasing less like a negotiation marathon and more like a sprint. Chapters00:00 – Meet Lindsey Barden A 20-year tenant rep veteran shares her journey from Virginia brokerage to founding Dark Horse CRE in East Tennessee. 08:15 – Why East Tennessee Is So Competitive Lindsey breaks down Knoxville’s low vacancy,...

    44 min

  3. 5 FEB

    What Franchise Longevity Looks Like From the Inside

    What do long-term franchise operators know that others miss?Longevity in retail is earned, not engineered. Chris Ressa and David Habas, Managing Partner at HK Enterprises, unpack what it actually takes to build and operate a service retail business over decades, cycles, and constant change. Habas brings nearly 30 years of franchising experience and a rare dual lens as both an operator and someone who came up through commercial real estate. That perspective shows up throughout the discussion, from how Supercuts’ footprint and service model have evolved, to why tracking customer counts still matters more than chasing top-line growth alone. He shares real AUV benchmarks, candid insights on post-COVID demand shifts, and why price increases only work when paired with consistency and execution. The conversation scales when Habas walks through a pivotal Boston relocation, moving from an iconic, high-rent location to a smaller, smarter space around the corner and growing the business in the process. The takeaway is simple and sharp: great operators don’t fight change, they design around it. For retailers, franchisees, and landlords alike, this episode reinforces a core truth of open-air retail: durable brands are built by people who think long-term, understand real estate, and know how to adapt without losing the customer. What You’ll HearWhy longevity in franchising comes from following the system, not trying to outsmart itHow the salon industry has evolved post-COVID and what “butts in the chair” really tells youReal AUV benchmarks and what separates top-performing locations from the rest of the systemThe tradeoffs between organic growth, acquisitions, and relocations when space is limitedA first-hand look at relocating an iconic Boston store and growing sales while lowering rentHow strong landlord relationships create flexibility during moments of disruptionWhy service retail still wins on consistency, efficiency, and customer trustLessons from building a multi-decade business with a long-tenured leadership team Chapters00:00 – Building a Franchise Before Franchising Was Cool David Habas shares his path into franchising and how HK Enterprises grew into one of the largest Supercuts franchise operators over multiple decades and markets. 04:45 – How the Salon Industry Has Actually Changed From oversized footprints to tighter, more efficient stores, Habas breaks down how customer needs, services, and layouts have evolved. 07:20 – Post-COVID Reality: Traffic, Frequency, and Revenue A candid look at customer behavior shifts, why frequency matters more than headlines, and how the business is tracking recovery. 10:30 – AUVs, Scale, and What Performance Really Looks Like Habas...

    32 min

  4. 28 JAN

    From the Front Lines: The Reality of Running Retail Centers

    What Does It Mean to Think Like an Owner in Property Management?Retail real estate is not won in boardrooms. It is won in the field. Chris Ressa sits down with Tine Helton, Regional Property Manager at DLC, to talk about the work that actually keeps open-air retail centers running across Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. From tenant relationships to infrastructure issues, Tine walks through what it means to own the day-to-day when performance, responsiveness, and consistency are the difference between a good center and a great one. Tine’s path into property management started on the leasing side, where she learned how a deal turns into a real, operating business. That curiosity led her into operations, professional certifications through IREM, and a leadership role focused on getting better at the craft, not just holding the title. The conversation digs into why education, ethics, and peer networks still matter in a business that moves fast and demands real accountability. At DLC, Tine shares what stood out most: a culture that backs its people and expects them to take ownership of outcomes. The result is a practical look at how strong operators build better properties, stronger tenant partnerships, and long-term performance in open-air retail. What You’ll HearWhy the best property managers operate like owners, not order-takersHow leasing knowledge becomes an operational advantage once the deal is signedWhat IREM certifications actually change in day-to-day decision-making and leadershipHow to turn education and peer networks into real career leverageWhat strong culture looks like when performance and accountability matterHow Midwest open-air centers stay competitive through consistency, speed, and follow-through Chapters00:00 – The Operator’s Seat Chris introduces Tine Helton and sets the stage for a conversation about what it really takes to run retail centers, not just lease them. 01:00 – From Leasing to Leadership Tine explains how her early work supporting leasing teams shaped the way she thinks about operations, tenants, and long-term performance. 02:45 – Choosing the Harder Path A look at why she moved into property management and embraced the challenge of being accountable for everything that happens after the deal is done. 04:00 – The IREM Advantage Tine breaks down how certifications, ethics, and peer networks through IREM sharpened her decision-making and accelerated her career. 07:30 – Turning Education into Opportunity How investing in professional development led directly to promotions, leadership roles, and industry recognition. 12:45 – Joining DLC and Thinking Like an Owner What stood out about DLC’s culture and why ownership, accountability, and support matter in daily operations. 15:40 – Growth Without a Ceiling Tine shares why continuous learning, new disciplines, and community involvement keep her pushing forward. 17:45 – Defining a Successful Year What success looks like when it is measured by team performance, process improvement, and being a leader others can count on.

    19 min

  5. 23 JAN

    2026: The Year Retail Real Estate Turns Momentum Into Pricing Power

    What Signals Say 2026 Could Outperform a Strong 2025 for Retail Real Estate?2026 might be the year retail real estate finally turns momentum into pricing power. Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono open with a confident call: next year will outperform an already-strong 2025, and the data is starting to line up behind it. Holiday sales climbed roughly 4 percent year-over-year, outpacing inflation and reinforcing a simple truth: consumers keep spending, even when sentiment wobbles. The conversation breaks down the “K-shaped” economy, where higher-income shoppers drive discretionary growth while value-focused and necessity-based retail remains resilient across every income bracket. The hosts point to sharper inventory discipline and steadier supply chains as quiet margin drivers, giving retailers more control over pricing and fewer forced discounts. On the real estate side, fewer major bankruptcies and limited space givebacks are tightening supply, setting the stage for a more landlord-driven market. The result: upward pressure on rents, stronger net operating income, and potential value gains as interest rates ease. They also look ahead to demand catalysts, from global sporting events and America’s 250th anniversary to a new wave of store openings coming out of late-2025 leasing. While risks remain, from AI-driven job shifts to geopolitical uncertainty, the core bet is clear: tighter supply, resilient consumers, and disciplined operators could make 2026 a defining year for retail real estate. What You’ll HearThe data points behind the call that 2026 tops a strong 2025Why consumer spending keeps winning over sentimentHow the K-shaped economy is reshaping value, necessity, and discretionary retailTighter supply, fewer bankruptcies, and what that means for landlord leverageInventory discipline and supply chains as quiet drivers of pricing powerNOI, rents, and value: how the real estate math is shiftingTraffic catalysts ahead, from global events to a new wave of store openingsThe key risks still in play, from AI disruption to geopolitical shocks Chapters00:00 — The Bold Call for 2026 Chris and Karly open with a confident prediction that 2026 will outperform a strong 2025 for retail real estate and explain why they’re leading with the conclusion. 01:20 — Holiday Sales vs. Consumer Sentiment A breakdown of holiday spending growth and why real consumer behavior matters more than surveys and headlines. 03:55 — The K-Shaped Economy in Retail How higher-income and value-focused consumers are shaping different lanes of retail performance across categories. 05:55 — Inventory, Pricing, and Margin Control Why better inventory discipline and steadier supply chains are giving retailers more leverage on pricing. 08:20 — Tariffs, Supply Chains, and Stability What’s changed since early 2025 and why supply volatility feels less like a headline risk for 2026. 09:45 — Bankruptcies, Space, and Expansion Pressure How fewer large retail failures are tightening available space and reshaping store rollout strategies. 12:10 — The Landlord’s Market and Rent...

    28 min

  6. 15 JAN

    Built to Last: Retail Real Estate Strategies for the Current Cycle

    What Does It Take to Go the Distance in Retail Real Estate Today?Retail real estate in early 2026 is defined by imbalance. In many suburban, open-air markets, demand is overwhelming supply. Five tenants are chasing one quality space. Vacancy is razor-thin. New construction still does not pencil. The result is leverage—and it is shifting. Chris Ressa and Andrew Mahr of Bialow Real Estate dig into how that leverage is actually showing up in deals. Face rents are not always jumping overnight, but economics are tightening through lower tenant improvement packages, higher tenant capital contributions, and tougher negotiations around delivery costs. Retail is repricing—just not always in the most obvious way. The conversation also highlights the growing divide between markets. Urban cores tied to office traffic remain uneven, while suburban lifestyle centers are absorbing demand from retailers with capital, patience, and long-term conviction. Strong operators are choosing to invest more upfront to control fixed occupancy costs over time, especially in junior anchor and specialty formats. A North Miami case study brings the thesis to life. An off-market Wild Fork deal shows how the best sites are no longer “available”—they are unlocked through persistence, relationships, and a willingness to target occupied real estate. The takeaway is simple: in today’s market, waiting for vacancy is passive. Going direct is how deals get done. What You’ll HearHow rising rents are showing up through deal structure, not always through face rateWhy tenant improvement packages are shrinking and tenant capital is coming back into the equationWhat it really means when deals “don’t pencil” in a high-cost, high-rate environmentHow strong retailers are deciding when it makes sense to invest more upfront to control long-term occupancy costsWhy off-market strategies matter more in a low-vacancy worldA real North Miami case study showing how targeting occupied real estate can unlock best-in-market locationsHow landlord-tenant alignment can accelerate expansion and turn single deals into long-term partnerships Chapters00:00 – Welcome and introductions Chris Ressa welcomes Andrew Mahr and sets the stage for a wide-ranging conversation on retail, relationships, and the market. 01:00 – Running, resilience, and perspective Andrew shares his Boston Marathon journey and why endurance, advocacy, and long-term commitment shape how he approaches business. 03:00 – What Bilo Real Estate actually does A look at Bilo’s role as a national, outsourced real estate department and why deep market familiarity matters. 05:15 – Retail in 2026: a tale of two markets Urban cores tied to office demand lag while suburban, open-air retail faces intense competition and limited supply. 07:45 – Why new retail still doesn’t pencil Interest rates, construction costs, and underwriting realities continue to stall speculative...

    26 min

  7. 9 JAN

    The Forces Aligning Behind Retail Real Estate in 2026

    What Happens When Strong Consumers, Limited Supply, and Leasing Demand Collide?Retail real estate is not just stable — it is entering a meaningfully better phase of the cycle. Drawing on recent conversations with owners, brokers, tenants, architects, engineers, and contractors, Chris Ressa challenges the prevailing narrative that 2026 will simply mirror a solid 2025. Instead, he outlines why the year ahead could outperform expectations across leasing, rents, and long-term fundamentals. At the center of his thesis is sustained leasing velocity. Across categories and markets, tenant demand continues to outpace available supply, even as headlines focus on isolated retailer struggles. Chris explains why those failures do not define the health of retail — and why today’s winners are expanding with conviction. He also breaks down why early-2025 disruptions, including an unusually high number of store closures and tariff uncertainty, are unlikely to repeat in 2026. With bankruptcies moderating, new construction still muted, and many signed tenants yet to open, available retail space is tightening further. Layer in a U.S. consumer expected to gain discretionary spending power, and the result is a collision of forces that may finally unlock meaningful rent growth. Chris argues this is the early innings of a retail pricing cycle — and 2026 could be the year it clearly shows up. What You’ll HearWhy 2026 could outperform already-strong 2025 resultsHow leasing velocity is signaling a tighter retail marketThe impact of fewer bankruptcies on available retail spaceWhy muted new construction matters more than headlines suggestHow rising consumer discretionary income supports rent growthWhat the next retail pricing cycle may look like for landlords and investors Chapters00:12 – Welcome to 2026 Chris sets the stage with early sentiment from across the retail real estate industry. 01:58 – Leasing Velocity Tells the Real Story Demand for retail space continues to outpace supply across most categories. 03:28 – Winners, Losers, and Retail Reality Why retailer failures don’t equal a weak retail sector. 05:32 – Bankruptcies, Tariffs, and a Reset Market How 2025 disruptions slowed leasing—and why 2026 looks different. 07:26 – The Consumer Comes Back Into Focus Rising discretionary income and its impact on physical retail demand. 08:18 – Rent Growth vs. Landlord CapEx How economics are shifting tenant and landlord cost burdens. 09:03 – The Early Innings of a Pricing Cycle Why multiple forces are colliding to push rents higher. 10:55 – What’s Next for Retail Retold

    11 min

  8. 18/12/2025

    The Conversations You Didn’t Hear at ICSC New York

    Is Retail Entering 2026 with More Certainty Than Ever?Fresh off the energy of ICSC New York, Chris Ressa and Carly Iacono unpack what really matters in retail real estate right now and where the market is headed into 2026. In this episode of What’s in Store, they move past surface-level headlines and dig into the conversations happening behind closed doors with investors, landlords, and retailers alike. pasted One clear theme emerged: certainty has returned, but the conversation has shifted. Cap rates are no longer viewed solely through the lens of interest rates. Instead, investors are pricing risk based on tenant quality, sector fundamentals, and long-term demand. At the same time, retailers are facing a supply crunch, with limited availability in top shopping centers constraining expansion, even as new stores continue to outperform expectations. Chris and Carly also explore the rising demand for value net lease deals, the growing challenge of maintaining long weighted average lease terms, and why long-term credit tenants have become harder to find. Perhaps most encouraging, retailers are reinvesting heavily in their physical stores, signaling renewed confidence in brick-and-mortar retail. Taken together, these insights paint a clear picture: retail is not just resilient. It is evolving with discipline, data, and conviction. What You’ll HearWhy cap rates are being driven more by risk than ratesHow supply constraints are reshaping retailer expansion plansWhy value net lease assets are suddenly in high demandWhat strong new-store performance signals about consumer behaviorHow retailers are prioritizing physical stores againWhat the absence of AI chatter says about the current cycleWhy these trends matter heading into 2026 Chapters00:07 – Setting the Stage at ICSC New York Chris and Carly explain why ICSC remains the most important deal-making forum in retail real estate. 02:30 – Why Cap Rates Are No Longer Just About Interest Rates The discussion shifts to how investors are pricing risk by sector and tenant quality. 10:25 – Liquidity Returns and What It Means for Deal Volume Improving credit markets are quietly unlocking stalled transactions. 12:07 – The Real Supply Constraint Retailers Are Facing Retailers want to grow, but many cannot find space in their top target centers. 15:51 – Value Net Lease Becomes a Hot Asset Class Short-term and below-market leases attract intense buyer demand. 25:28 – New Stores Are Outperforming Expectations Retailers report new locations beating pro forma sales projections. 31:39 – The Challenge of Long-Term Credit and Lease Duration Maintaining portfolio WALT is getting harder as long-term deals become scarce. 34:23 – Retailers Reinvest in the In-Store Experience Capital is flowing back into physical stores through remodels and upgrades. 37:05 – The Surprising Silence Around AI and Labor Two dominant topics from past conferences barely register this year. 38:34 – Why These Trends Point Toward 2026 Chris and Carly explain why these themes are just the...

    40 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    DLC Management Corp.
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    364
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 917824
  • Show Website
    Retail Retold

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