LAS VEGAS—As the retail industry’s leading figures descend on Las Vegas for the annual ICSC event, the atmosphere is charged with a blend of cautious optimism and a forward-looking embrace of innovation. Both seasoned veterans and emerging players are gathering to exchange strategies, explore potential partnerships and gauge the future of physical retail. We spoke with several attendees to capture their perspectives.
Among them is Sandy Sigal, Chairman, CEO, and President of NewMark Merrill Companies, who notes that this year’s ICSC arrives at a particularly dynamic moment for the sector. “We’re certainly looking at the enthusiasm of tenants at the show to grow, how they’re adapting, and how they see the year ahead,” Sigal shares with GlobeSt.com. He emphasizes the significant role technology continues to play, expressing his excitement to reconnect with tech firms NewMark Merrill already collaborates, as well as to discover how others are approaching transformation. Sigal also highlights the company’s ongoing search for innovative startups they might help nurture-just as they have in the past-to bring added value to both their business and their tenants.
The intersection of retail and technology is rapidly evolving. From AI-driven analytics and smart parking systems to immersive customer experiences and streamlined back-end operations, both retailers and landlords are eager to adopt digital tools that enhance customer service and improve profitability.
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For Sigal, whose company owns or manages more than 100 shopping centers valued at over $3 billion and totaling 13 million square feet across California, Colorado, and Illinois, the focus extends beyond adopting cutting-edge solutions; it’s also about collaboration. “It’s about finding partners that align with our mission to improve communities through vibrant retail centers,” he explains.
As the conference floor fills and the buzz of deal-making intensifies over the coming days, one sentiment stands out: retail is not only making a comeback — it is adapting, evolving and looking confidently to the future.
Stay tuned for more from the ICSC Las Vegas event and check out the stories below you might have missed.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
