The Week In News, But Shorter
June 16 – 22, 2025

We’ve been highlighting lately how crucial it is for retail property owners to provide flexible, tech-enabled spaces for tenants, and this week’s headlines reinforced exactly why that matters. H&M is tapping AI to reimagine store formats, ensuring they remain competitive by meeting evolving customer expectations. Forbes also underscored this trend, spotlighting how AI is reshaping retail design to deliver more immersive, emotionally resonant experiences. Clearly, integrating high-quality technology into retail spaces is no longer optional—it’s a baseline necessity. Flexibility is just as essential. Nordstrom continues experimenting with smaller-footprint stores, while Netflix is creatively converting shuttered department stores into vibrant new venues. As all of these headlines illustrate, the pace of change is accelerating, not slowing down. If you’re feeling stretched or simply want a strategic edge, we’re here to help.

This week another online-first retailer announced growth in brick-and-mortar, while an old-school retailer announced digital enhancements to it’s online and offline operations. We also read an article that highlights the use of AI for information abstraction, similar to what we’re seeing with new leasing platforms for lease clause abstraction. If you haven’t visited us over on LinkedIn recently, then you might not know that David is speaking today at NextGen 2025: Retail, Real Estate & the New Consumer in New York and the IMN’s AI in Real Estate event on Wednesday which means were in New York for a few days and we’d love to connect if you are too – let us know!

Digital Meets Physical

H&M Bets on AI to Upgrade Stores, Face Off Online Rivals [The Wall Street Journal] H&M is betting on upgrading a slimmed-down store network to regain ground lost to rivals that sell purely online, and hopes artificial intelligence will smooth out the integration of its digital operations with its physical footprint. “Blurring the lines between digital and physical shopping and strengthening both channels is our key competitive advantage,” H&M Chief Digital Information Officer Ellen Svanstrom said in an interview.

David’s Bridal transforms stores into tech hubs with Shopify integration [Chain Store Age] David’s Bridal is unifying e-commerce and brick-and-mortar operations in partnership with Shopify. The bridal and special occasion dress retailer is leveraging technology from the e-commerce platform in an effort to create a more flexible, dynamic omnichannel and in-store point of sale experience.

Netflix Expands Offline With Fan-Fueled Entertainment Concept [Forbes] Two years ago, Netflix made the announcement that it would open “Netflix Houses,” an offline concept where visitors would be able to shop, eat, play, and interact with their favorite shows in real life. Today, the streaming giant is sharing more details about the first location openings indicating a clear intention to develop brand touchpoints through physical retail and engage with consumers in additional ways.

Goop plans for 20-30 new brick-and-mortar locations as it opens its 7th permanent store [ModernRetail] Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop is in brick-and-mortar expansion mode. The brand is set to open its seventh permanent storefront in the affluent vacation town of Aspen, Colorado. The 647-square-foot storefront will primarily sell Goop’s in-house lines Goop Beauty and G. Label — the company’s high-end beauty and fashion brands.

AI And Retail Design: The Future Of In-Person Brand Experiences [Forbes] As retail reclaims its role as a space for real-life connection and not just commerce, brands are reimagining their physical spaces not just as stores, but stages with consumers at the center. Immersive in-person experiences have emerged as one of the most effective ways to build brand equity and loyalty in an increasingly digital world, forcing brands to rethink their use of spatial design for optimal experiences. At the heart of this evolution lies AI, which is quickly becoming a catalyst for helping brands forge emotional, lasting bonds with consumers.

PropTalk

America’s Last Mall King Is Still in Charge, Even After a Deadly Diagnosis [The Wall Street Journal] David Simon had to step in to rescue the family business when he was 29 years old. Now, more than three decades later, America’s last mall king is thinking about whether his own son will be ready to take the helm. The chief executive of Simon Property Group is battling a deadly cancer but isn’t ready to step aside.

UK Government Deploys Google’s Gemini AI to Digitize Legacy Planning Documents and Accelerate Housing and Infrastructure Approvals [CREtech] The UK government is partnering with Google DeepMind’s Gemini AI model to revolutionize the planning application process across England through a new system called Extract. The tool leverages Gemini’s advanced multimodal reasoning capabilities to rapidly convert outdated, paper-based planning documents—often containing blurry maps and handwritten notes—into clean, structured digital data.

The best mall in America? Right here in Florida, according to new nationwide ranking [The Palm Beach Post] USA TODAY readers voted Aventura Mall in Aventura, Florida, as the best mall in the U.S. Aventura Mall features over 300 stores, art installations, and a wide variety of dining options.

Hyper-Intelligent Buildings Will Power the Next Metaverse [Propmodo] Over the past few years, we’ve seen a radical acceleration in how digital technology is integrated into physical infrastructure. From IoT sensors and AI-powered energy dashboards to real-time digital twins, the built environment is finally catching up with the intelligence age. But these advancements have only scratched the surface of what’s possible.

A Town’s Single Largest Taxpayer Is Also Its Biggest Headache [The New York Times] The 720,000-square-foot mall, which opened in 1988, has long been Lanesborough’s single largest taxpayer. In 2007, when the mall was near its peak, it generated $2.3 million in annual tax revenue. The money has helped subsidize the Police Department, schools and road maintenance. But these days, the mall is a mere remnant of its past glory.

Nordstrom to open Local concept in Brooklyn, eyes San Francisco location [RetailDive] Nordstrom is expanding its New York footprint with the opening of a Nordstrom Local in Brooklyn. Services in the 3,000-square-foot Williamsburg location include online order pickup, alterations, returns, gift wrapping and clothing donation. Meanwhile, the department store recently obtained approval from the San Francisco Planning Commission to open a Nordstrom Local in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.