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PODCAST

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook

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.

business marketing

All Episodes

30:47

Tous les Jours' Path to 1,000 US Locations - Where We...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/03/06

Taeyun Kim is Chief Development Officer at CJ Foodville US, the parent company of Tous les Jours, a French-Asian bakery cafe chain with over 180 locations across 31 states. Taeyun discusses the company's ambitious expansion plans to reach 1,000 stores by 2030, explaining the brand's unique positioning as a neighborhood bakery offering fresh-baked pastries and bread with European and Asian influences. She covers the franchise-driven growth model, ideal real estate requirements (3,000 square feet in

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40:53

Ian Scott's Guide to Unforgettable Retail - Where We...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/03/01

Ian Scott leads retail safaris around the world. He takes listeners on a virtual tour of six distinctive stores—from Fanatics Collectibles' interactive sports collectibles space in London to Buck Mason's immersive lifestyle store in New York, Larfeuille's artisanal leather workshop in Paris, Ffern's sensory fragrance boutique in London, Singapore's DORS at Design Orchard retail incubator, and Patagonia Action Works Cafe. Ian emphasizes the enduring value of physical retail, the importance of

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27:49

How [solidcore] Picks the Perfect Location - Where We...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/02/20

Josh Rainey is Senior Director of Real Estate + Growth at [solidcore], a boutique fitness operator specializing in intense strength training workouts on custom-built reformers. [solidcore] expanded from 85 locations in 2022 to 165 today, with plans to reach 205 by the end of the year. He discusses [solidcore]'s target demographic of primarily women aged 25-35, the importance of community-driven fitness experiences, and the brand's focus on longevity and preventative wellness. Josh covers site

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29:14

Managing the Mixx: Creating Successful Live-Work-Play...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/02/13

Sean McNamara leads The Mixx at JLL, a specialized platform for managing complex mixed-use developments across North America. McNamara explains the unique challenges of managing properties that combine office, retail, residential, hotel, and entertainment uses on a single site. He discusses the importance of creating a sense of place through strategic merchandising, placemaking, and activation, highlighting projects like Plaza Coral Gables in Florida and OCVIBE in Anaheim, California. McNamara

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32:54

Arte Museum Expands from South Korea to NYC, LA and...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/02/06

Julia Yook is General Manager of Arte Museum New York, a 52,000-square-foot immersive media art space at Chelsea Piers. Yook explains the museum's origins in South Korea in 2020, its expansion to locations worldwide including Las Vegas and upcoming sites in Los Angeles and Orlando, and the logistics of creating multisensory experiences that combine light, sound, scent, and spatial design. She covers the museum's 14 distinct zones, the proprietary technology behind interactive features like the

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31:58

Asana Partners' Clare Walsh on Authentic Neighborhood...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/01/30

Clare Walsh is Managing Director of Leasing Strategy at Asana Partners, a retail-focused investment firm with over $7 billion in assets under management. Walsh discusses the company's focus on neighborhood retail across the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas, highlighting key properties in neighborhoods including Dallas Design District, Charlotte's South End, and Salt Lake City's East Bench. She covers current retail trends including the wellness economy, the rise of authentic Asian cuisine and beauty

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50:30

The Gen X Shopper - Where We Buy #366

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/01/23

Stephanie Cegielski is Vice President, Research and Public Relations at ICSC, where she leads consumer research initiatives. Cegielski explains why Generation X—born between 1965 and 1980—represents a significant but overlooked opportunity for retailers and shopping center owners. Despite comprising only 19% of the U.S. population, Gen X accounts for a third of total consumer spending. She discusses Gen X shopping behaviors, including their preference for in-store experiences over online shopping,

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24:28

Canadian Retail Property Investment with Matt Smith -...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/01/21

Matthew Smith is the leader of retail investment in Canada for JLL, with 29 years of experience in Canadian capital markets. Smith discusses the current state of Canada's retail investment market, explaining why grocery-anchored centers remain the top investment choice for both domestic and international buyers. He covers the dominance of private capital in the market, the concentration of institutional investment in Canada's six primary markets, and the recent surge of activity in Alberta. Smith

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29:48

CEO Alan MacKenzie: Canada Retail is (Mostly) a...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/01/16

Alan MacKenzie is CEO of JLL Canada, overseeing all business lines including capital markets, work dynamics, leasing, and property management across the country. MacKenzie shares his journey from founding a retail real estate company in 2000 to leading JLL's Canadian operations, including his work bringing Lowe's to Canada and representing Walmart. He discusses the current state of Canadian retail real estate, explaining why vacancy rates at top-tier malls are below 2% despite economic headwinds

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36:00

Inside Nando's US Expansion - Where We Buy #363

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/01/09

Kimberly Grant, CEO of Nando's PERi-PERi North America, and Ryan Welch, Director of Real Estate, join the show to discuss the fast-casual restaurant's expansion across the United States. Grant and Welch share the story of Nando's entry into the US market, the brand's unique approach to hospitality, and the challenges of scaling operations while maintaining authenticity. They cover site selection strategy, customer experience, and the importance of community connection. The conversation also

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52:01

Nando's and Beyond: Robbie Brozin's Path from Founder...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2026/01/05

Robert Brozin is co-founder of Nando's, the global restaurant chain known for its flame-grilled peri-peri chicken. He left his corporate job to build Nando's from a single Johannesburg location into an international brand. He discusses the company's unique people-centric culture, the challenges and rewards of global expansion, and the importance of maintaining strong values and purpose. Brozin also delves into his philanthropic work, including the fight against malaria through Goodbye Malaria and

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31:49

StripMallGuy's Standouts: Our Favorite Posts With Don...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/12/19

Don Tepman, President and Founder of TownCentre Capital and the voice behind the popular @StripMallGuy account, joins the show to revisit and unpack his most notable recent posts. In this episode, Don shares the stories, strategies, and lessons behind his standout social media moments, offering candid insights into the world of strip mall investing. From the power of site visits to the impact of social media on deal flow and the nuances of tax strategy, Don reflects on what makes certain posts

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24:02

Goop Kitchen: From Ghost Kitchens to IRL Flagships -...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/12/13

Adam Rinella is Vice President of Real Estate & Development at Goop Kitchen, the fast-growing, gluten-free fast casual restaurant brand launched by Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop. Rinella discusses Goop Kitchen's origins as a delivery-only concept, its expansion to 13 locations in California, and plans for growth in New York and beyond. He explains the brand's approach to menu development, site selection, and the challenges and opportunities of operating a celebrity-backed restaurant. Rinella also covers

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51:34

Autolane's Fix For Autonomous Cars and Retail - Where...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/12/05

Ben Seidl, Co-Founder & CEO of Autolane, joins James Cook to discuss how Autolane is addressing the "last 50 feet" challenge for autonomous vehicles in retail environments. Seidl explains how Autolane's platform gives retailers and shopping center owners control over the final approach and parking of driverless cars, aiming to eliminate traffic jams and improve customer experience. He shares insights on the company's collaboration with Simon Property Group, the logistics of deploying their

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32:29

Building the Primark Brand in America - Where We Buy...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/11/20

Rene Federico is US Head of Marketing at Primark, the global fashion retailer known for its affordable, stylish offerings. Federico discusses Primark's growth in the US, including its expansion plans and the unique in-store experience that sets the brand apart. She shares insights on adapting Primark's messaging for American consumers, the importance of brick-and-mortar retail, and the company's first US brand campaign. Federico also covers strategies for building brand awareness, the role of social

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35:51

Primaris REIT's $3.3 Billion Mall Buying Spree with...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/11/14

Alex Avery is CEO of Primaris, the only Canadian REIT focused exclusively on enclosed shopping centers. Alex discusses Primaris REIT's growth strategy, recent acquisitions, and the unique dynamics of the Canadian mall market. He explains the company's approach to capital allocation, the importance of scale in mall ownership, and how Primaris REIT is navigating the evolving retail landscape. Avery also covers the impact of department store closures, the role of entertainment and technology in

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35:05

Second Horizon's Community-Driven Approach to...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/11/07

Howard Levine and Camilo Varela are Managing Partners and Co-Founders of Second Horizon Capital, a company focused on revitalizing underinvested retail properties into vibrant community destinations. They discuss their approach to impact investment, the origins of Second Horizon Capital, and their growing portfolio of malls and lifestyle centers across the United States, including Chicago Ridge Mall and Stony Point Fashion Park. They share insights on community engagement, sustainability

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50:51

The Magic of Adaptive Reuse with Hendricks Commercial...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/10/31

Rob Gerbitz is President and CEO at Hendricks Commercial Properties, LLC, a company known for transforming historic sites into vibrant destinations. Gerbitz shares the story behind Hendricks Commercial Properties' growth, the company's approach to adaptive reuse, and the vision that drives projects like the Ironworks Campus in Beloit, Wisconsin, the Bottleworks District in Indianapolis, and the BoDo District in Boise. He discusses the legacy of founders Diane and Ken Hendricks, the importance of

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39:06

Reshaping Theaters in Retail Environments - Where We...

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/10/17

Chuck Stilley, Eva Mui, and Mark McDonald are the team behind The Cinema Bridge, a consulting group with decades of experience in the movie theater industry, including leadership roles at AMC Theatres. They discuss the evolving landscape of cinema in the wake of the pandemic, the challenges and opportunities facing theater operators, and the impact of changing consumer habits. The conversation covers box office recovery, the rise of premium formats and alternative content, and how theaters are

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35:20

Decoding India's Retail Landscape - Where We Buy #353

Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook ·

2025/10/09

James chats with Prateek Misra, head of Luxury and Food & Beverage for India at JLL. They discuss the complexities and opportunities for international retailers entering the Indian market, which is home to over 1.4 billion people with a significant portion under 35 years old. Prateek highlights the importance of local partnerships and understanding diverse consumer preferences across India's regions. They explore successful strategies, such as market research, establishing Global Capability Centers

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272 results

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