Problem solving has becomethe biggest rent in retail brokerage in recent years—and it isn'tsurprising. While all asset classes have seen a shift in demandthis cycle—some for the better—and there has bee a general trendtoward more experiential real estate, the retail sector hasexperienced the most significant change. As a result, the retailbroker's role has also changed.

"The biggest trend in the past couple of years and for theforeseeable future is problem solving," ChrisWilson, head of national agency leasing atJLL, tells GlobeSt.com. "Many centers areshowing signs of disruption from the disconnect in rents for luxuryto the repositioning of malls to the evolution of the groceryindustry. As retail continues to change, we at JLL need to beproblem solvers for our owner clients."

Wilson was named head of national agency leasing earlier thismonth, a promotion that included the title of EVP. Prior to takingon the position, Wilson served as Southwest Brokerage Retail Leadfor JLL. He will now oversee brokerage and leasing services forJLL's extensive institutional retail portfolio. "Since I sold mybusiness, Wilson Retail Group, to JLL in 2014 I have had theopportunity to contribute to the growth of JLL retail in theSouthwest by implementing best practices and working to become oneteam, things that I have strived for my entire career," he saysabout taking on the position. "This new role allows me to take myefforts to a national level where I will look to grow the nationalretail agency leasing platform through training, strategicrecruitment and multi-market representation. With JLL's acquisitionof HFF in 2019, we now have a robust, full-service platform thatprovides investors with services throughout a property's lifecycle,from acquisition and financing, to leasing stabilization todisposition."