Retail Intel: A PECO Podcast for the CRE Professional

How do you spend your commute to work? Pretending you’re a guest on Carpool Karaoke, frantically screaming at bad drivers, or calmly engrossed in your latest podcast download? For me, it’s (usually) a new podcast episode I’m tuned into. I am an avid podcast listener and subscribe to a variety of series. Naturally, when it came time to brainstorm new marketing initiatives for Phillips Edison’s National Accounts team, a podcast series jumped to mind since we’re already out and about meeting with retailers across the country. Thus, Retail Intel was born.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, Retail Intel is a podcast series by Phillips Edison that explores emerging trends, insights, and hot topics in the retail real estate industry. It’s been nearly a year since we launched Retail Intel, and I’ve had the pleasure of hosting this new PECO podcast. Over the past year, I have thoroughly enjoyed strengthening new partnerships and watching the series evolve.

Our first episode featured Ellen Latham, co- founder of Orangetheory Fitness. We set the bar high with Ellen - a dynamic, inspirational woman whose multimillion-dollar company started out in an extra room in her home.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Jeff Rubino from Five Guys, the original leasing rockstar Beth Azor, Jesse Stiles from Dogtopia, and the real estate team from Domino’s Pizza, among others.

Our goal with Retail Intel is to offer insights on a range of topics impacting the industry, including the innovations coming to market that are changing how we identify and react to changing consumer preferences. Overall, brands have been incredibly inventive in introducing new ways to think about the retail format, and we aim to shine a light on this creativity and offer inspiration for the industry at large.

Each episode has its own personality- its own story. Here are a few of our most recent episodes:

• Tiff’s Treats: Warm cookies delivered to your doorstep? That’s the foundation behind emerging concept, Tiff’s Treats. With 41 locations, the Austin-based company is bringing their delicious cookies to more and more homes each year. We recently met with Mike Harris, head of real estate and heard their story. Warning: you will crave cookies and milk after listening!

• Jersey Mike’s Subs: We talked with Gerardo Flores, Head of Real Estate for Jersey Mike’s Subs (one of the industry’s fastest-growing brands). It was fascinating to hear Gerardo’s rich history in retail real estate deal making, the Jersey Mike’s real estate wheelhouse, and how the company grew from humble beginnings to over 1,300 nationwide locations today.

• Great Clips: You’re probably familiar with Great Clips, but do you know how the company is using technology to differentiate themselves? In this episode we got to know Davis Bennett, Senior Director of Real Estate at Great Clips. We learned about their real estate sweet spots, online check-in app, and insights about the current state of retail.

As the ICSC New York Deal Making approaches, I look forward to chatting with our retailers and industry partners for a couple of new episodes. If you’re planning to attend the show, I encourage you to stop by and meet our team at Booth #2641.

If you’d like to be a part of the series, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to send me an email at leasing@phillipsedison.com. Happy listening!