Chris Igwe’s Post

FEATURE ARTICLE 👉 EVP and Director of Retail Brokerage Lee Shapiro spoke with Retail Merchandiser Magazine, sharing insights and reflections from over 30 years in the CRE business. “I would say for me what is really thrilling is working with a developer and exploring the future development of a space. Being part of the process so the developer can achieve or exceed their rental structure for success years down the line is thrilling. It takes considerable experience to recognize when it’s time to stop negotiating terms and affect a transaction. Steering a course for mutual success and bringing the parties together through communication is an enjoyable element of the business.” Read the full feature here: https://lnkd.in/gAqJ3Dr7

Industry News: Is Ollie’s Bargain Outlet a Retail Stock to Watch? Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI - Get Rating), a leading retailer of brand name merchandise, reported its fiscal 2024 first-quarter results. The company posted revenue of $508.82 million, indicating an increase of 10.8% compared to the first quarter of 2023. And its gross profit grew 17.2% from the year-ago value to $209.36 million. During the first quarter, Ollie opened four new stores in the U.S., ending the quarter with 516 stores in 30 states in total, reflecting a year-over-year increase in store count by 8.4%. Further, the company entered into a partnership with Sunbit to launch a co-branded Visa® credit card. It will be OLLI’s first-ever credit card for the customers, and they will be able to avail themselves of rewards and benefits for purchases made at OLLI and every place where a visa is accepted. ————————————————— 💥Over 16 MILLION Square Feet Represented💥 ✅Visit https://lnkd.in/gKX9JcPy for exciting new property listings! ————————————————— #realestate #newenglandretail #property #forsale #retail #realestateinvesting #business #broker #realestatenews #properties #investor #investmentproperty #connecticut #nerp #newengland #connecticutnews #newenglandrealestatenews

New blog written by yours truly on insolvency in the retail sector

"Ted Baker in administration: latest British brand unable to adapt to a rapidly evolving retail landscape" is Richard Saunders' new article in Retail Times. “Ted Baker is the latest example of a well-established British brand unable to adapt to a rapidly evolving retail landscape. Whilst e-retail was once portrayed as the villain in the story of the high-street, this is simply no longer the case. https://lnkd.in/ebHqxkYM #Agency #Retail #propertynews #NoOrdinaryPropertyConsultancy

As a commercial retail broker, I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to site selection.  Todays insight - Know your competition! Know your neighbors! Wonder why similar retailers locate close to each other? Selecting the right site is critical for your retail success. Avoid mistakes, and you’ll be on your way to thriving in a new location! Need expert advice? I'm here to help. Let's find the perfect spot for your business! #RetailSuccess #OttawaRetail #SiteSelection #CommercialRealEstate #RetailBroker #BusinessGrowth #AvoidMistakes #ExpertAdvice #ColliersOttawa #ColliersRetail #CRERetail

Wickes Half-Year Update Earlier today Wickes published their Interim Results for the six months ending 29 June 2024. With total revenue down 3.4% year on year to £799.9m, the ‘Challenging Market Environment’ continued to impact on big ticket purchases. But there where some interesting comments that point to opportunities. Here's 5 that might help 👇 1. Optimise Cost Management and Margins Review current cost structures and implement tighter controls on operational expenses, similar to Wickes' efforts in mitigating inflationary impacts. This could involve renegotiating supplier contracts, improving procurement practices, or reducing overhead costs to protect margins. 2. Strengthen Customer Loyalty and Engagement Initiatives Consider developing or enhancing loyalty programs, akin to Wickes' successful TradePro initiative. Focus on building a robust customer base by offering targeted promotions, discounts, or value-added services that cater to both retail customers and trade professionals. 3. Diversify Product Range to Target Price-Sensitive Customers Expand or reposition product offerings to appeal to more price-sensitive segments, much like Wickes’ emphasis on their lower-priced kitchen range. Evaluate your product mix to identify opportunities to introduce more competitively priced options or value-driven products that resonate with budget-conscious customers. 4. Invest in Strategic Store Development Prioritise investment in high-performing stores or regions and consider refurbishments where necessary to enhance the customer experience. Take a data-driven approach to identify locations that could benefit most from investment, ensuring maximum return on capital expenditure. 5. Explore Opportunities in Emerging Markets and Sustainability Investigate opportunities for diversification into emerging markets or sustainable product lines, inspired by Wickes' entry into the solar market. This could help capture new customer segments, align with growing environmental concerns, and differentiate your business in a competitive landscape.

📢 #SuccessfulPresentation and #CollaborationExperience Yesterday, we had the opportunity to present to the members of the İnegöl Chamber of Commerce and Industry (İTSO), sharing the services Freeman New York offers and strategies for entering the #AmericanMarket. We were honored to be joined by our esteemed #BusinessPartner, Grape Law Firm PLLC, with its owner Muhammed Üzüm who also gave an #InsightfulPresentation. 🌟 Focused Presentation on the Furniture Industry Our presentation primarily focused on the #FurnitureIndustry. We provided #StrategicInsights for companies looking to sell furniture in the #USmarket. In addition to discussing the best #marketplaces for #sales, we highlighted #strategies for handling high return rates and how these products can be effectively resold. 🔍 What We Discussed with İTSO Members At Freeman New York, we provide #StrategicSolutions that help businesses accelerate their growth. Our services include: #DigitalMarketing #Branding #ContentCreation #SalesChannelIntegration (#Shopify, #Amazon, #Walmart, #Houzz, #Wayfair #HomeDepot #Lowes etc.) #BusinessAnalysis #SoftwareDevelopment #Logistics 📈 Special Content for the Furniture Industry We shared #DetailedInsights on which marketplaces are ideal for #SellingFurniture in America. Additionally, we discussed #EffectiveStrategies for managing high return rates and how to resell these products through appropriate channels. ❓ Q&A Session At the end of the presentation, we received and addressed several questions from the participants, which provided #ValuableFeedback and #inspiration for further enhancing our services. 🌐 What Freeman New York Offers We are here to help your #BusinessGrow and establish a #StrongPresence in the #AmericanMarket. With our #StrategicSolutions and #ExpertTeam, we are always ready to support you. 🔗 For more information and collaborations, please contact us at: www.freemannewyork.com

Two New York law firms are helping a luxury retailer make its own high-end purchase. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is representing Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, in its $2.65bn acquisition of rival retailer Neiman Marcus Group (NMG), parent company of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is acting for longtime client Neiman Marcus on the deal. The Willkie team guiding HBC was led by corporate partners Greg Astrachan, Michael Brandt and Tej Prakash, finance partner Viktor Okasmaa and finance counsel Michael Wolynski.  The Sullivan & Cromwell team included corporate partners Melissa Sawyer and Lauren Boehmke and associates Lisa M. Morales and Charlie Wowk, executive compensation partner Jeannette Bander, finance partner Neal McNight and associate R. Courtland Morrice, tax partners 王瀚之 Wang and Ha Jin (Tessa) Lee, and antitrust partners Renata B. Hesse and Samantha Hynes. Read more in Anne Gallagher’s story. #luxurylaw #retail #mergersandacquisitions #bigdeals https://lnkd.in/g2RgtTEM

💔 It's with a heavy heart that I learned of the Ted Baker store closures. I've had memorable experiences there, and it's sad to see such a unique and vibrant brand go. From the moment I stepped in, Asha greeted me warmly, dressed impeccably in a Ted Baker outfit. Maxwell soon joined, offering compliments and engaging in a genuine conversation about the store's quirky decor, which featured tape measures and ruler accents symbolizing Manhattan's architectural planning. Maxwell's enthusiasm was infectious, and his attention to detail was remarkable. He set up a fitting room, brought additional shirts, and made sure I was never left alone—always in a good way. I wrote a full blog about this experience, which is available in the comments below. Ted Baker's employees consistently deliver a level of engagement that set them apart. Their ability to create a welcoming atmosphere and maintain operational excellence is commendable, especially in a retail environment plagued by high turnover and inconsistent service. The challenges faced by many luxury and department stores stem from their inability to provide a consistent shopping experience. Ted Baker, however, excels in customer engagement, which is why they stood out even during my keynote at the Retail Excellence conference in Dublin, Ireland. Retailers must remember that great associates are made, not found. Ted Baker's winning formula included great products, well-trained staff, unique store designs, and a consistent shopper experience. The brand promise was evident from the moment you walked in. The closure of Ted Baker's is not just the loss of a retail brand but the end of an era of brilliant retail design and exceptional customer service. While financial irregularities and controversies played a role, the push to remove the visionary CEO who created the essence of what made Ted Baker special - their dedication to training and engaging their employees, created an environment that made shopping a delight. Feel free to DM me if you want to learn more about how to create an exceptional in-store experience. Let's honor Ted Baker's legacy by striving for retail excellence. #RetailExcellence #CustomerExperience #TedBaker #RetailDesign #InStoreEngagement #RetailTraining #CustomerService #BrickAndMortar #RetailStrategy

Planning a Grand Opening or Anniversary for your store? You have worked hard to make your store a reality - now it is time to introduce your store to the all-important three-mile trade area surrounding it. Creating an exciting grand opening (or celebrating an anniversary) requires work upfront, but in the long run will make your store start off on the right foot in your community. It is critical to make a great impression to both the community as well as your individual customers. This 30-page manual is designed to give you “how-to” instructions to make your grand opening or anniversary a huge success. The key is to use a variety of techniques included in this manual to call attention to your store. That way, you will significantly enhance your store’s image. Pick up your copy today on Amazon: https://lnkd.in/eysDgUN Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc. #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail #anniversary #grandopening