| A Weekly PropTech Newsletter bringing you industry updates from across the real estate spectrum |
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| Programing Note: It was a holiday here in the U.S. yesterday. Please excuse our delay and we will be back to our regular scheduled newsletter next Monday.
This week’s headlines focused on the future of B malls. While some owners, like Simon, are doubling down on strategic reinvestment, others—like Walmart—are seizing opportunities to repurpose these spaces altogether. The big question remains: will the investment be worth it? We believe the answer is yes—if done strategically. While cosmetic upgrades like new flooring and landscaping can make an impact, long-term success often depends on a smarter approach: rethinking tenant mix, integrating new digital solutions, and aligning investments with evolving consumer behavior. At NextRivet, we specialize in helping clients identify high-ROI enhancements that drive real value. Let’s chat if you’re looking to take a more strategic approach to your B properties.
Last week, we noted that Amazon continues to struggle with physical retail, yet this week, they’re making another attempt—this time launching a new store concept abroad. Meanwhile, as Simon invests in B properties, they’re also partnering with digital-native brands to help them enter physical retail. And finally, mall foot traffic in January saw strong growth, but is this a lasting trend or just a symptom of “return-uary”? We’d love to hear your take—join the conversation on LinkedIn. |
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| Robot rev up: Amazon boosts warehouse tech to speed deliveries [CoStar] Amazon is ramping up its latest generation of cutting-edge robots and the number of delivery centers across its vast fulfillment network as the online retailer pushes to boost e-commerce sales and cut costs and the time it takes to fill orders.
Simon, Shopify Team Up to Help Digital Brands Enter Brick-and-Mortar Retail [Retail Touchpoints] Mall owner Simon has partnered with ecommerce platform Shopify and physical retail platform Leap to help ecommerce brands launch or expand into brick-and-mortar. The three companies will offer a suite of solutions to help digital brands quickly open new stores across Simon’s real estate portfolio as well as at other locations. |
| A robot barista represents a larger vision for bringing robotics to more areas of retail [ModernRetail] Richtech Robotics expects to expand Clouffee & Tea to dozens of locations in the next two to three years. The company has deployed more than 300 robots throughout the U.S., which are performing tasks at restaurants, retail stores, hotels, healthcare facilities, casinos, senior living homes and factories.
Amazon opens beauty and personal care store in Italy as part of brick-and-mortar expansion [CNBC] Amazon is opening a “parapharmacy” in Milan, Italy, that features a range of beauty and personal items. The store also includes a selection of nonprescription, over-the-counter medications. |
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| Netflix opens one-of-a-kind restaurant on Las Vegas Strip [Chain Store Age] The streaming and entertainment giant has opened Netflix Bites at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Described as a one-year culinary residency, the restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner — with each menu item inspired by a hit Netflix show or movie, including Bridgerton, Stranger Things, Squid Game, One Piece, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and more. |
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| Are B malls having a moment? [RetailDive] Lower-performing shopping malls in the U.S. that once seemed destined to languish or close are getting renewed attention. Last week, for example, Walmart revealed that it bought a mall in the Pittsburgh area, and Simon Property Group said that for the next two years it will refurbish many of its B malls.
How Lego builds unique store experiences [RetailDive] From big displays and livestreams with employees to personalization stations, Lego wants to create stores that keep customers coming back.
Simon to upgrade Smith Haven Mall with new tenants, renovations [Chain Store Age] The real estate investment trust has announced a multi-million dollar project at Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, N.Y. on Long Island. The major redevelopment will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 2026. It will include a number of new retailers, dining destinations, an outdoor plaza, and amenities throughout the property. |
| Open-Air Retail, Walkable Sunbelt Settings Proving Profitable Mix [Forbes] Among several emerging trends revealed in JLL’s Third Quarter 2024 Retail Outlook, few seem more intriguing than the resurgence of retail, retail rent growth, and walkable open-air retail in Sunbelt settings.
The Future of the American B Mall (and Other Grades) Remains in Flux as Fortunes Diverge [RetailWire] Those graded or classified as top-notch malls (achieving an A ranking) are performing well, while those in the lower B’s, C’s, and D’s are headed toward total reformation or restructuring.
Placer.ai: Mall visits see increase in January [Chain Store Age] New data shows that last month, visits increased by 5.5% for indoor malls and by 2.9% and 2.7% for open-air shopping centers and outlet malls, respectively, compared to January 2024. The January visit growth is also impressive given this year’s arctic blast cold spell which kept many consumers home for much of the month. |
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