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WITH ROB SAMTMANN

Rob Samtmann | Mar 09, 2026 |
Retail News

Philly's Economy Is Having a Moment

Philadelphia is emerging as one of the most compelling economic success stories in the United States. As a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer points out, among the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the country, the Philadelphia region recorded the strongest job growth last year, outpacing high-profile cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix […]
Rob Samtmann | Feb 17, 2026 |
Retail News

2026 Consumer Playbook

In a recent article in Forbes, Kate Hardcastle reported on several forces currently shaping consumer behavior. Retailers are entering 2026 facing a customer who wants both advanced technology and human reassurance. Shoppers appreciate personalization and convenience, but only when they feel in control. The past few years have trained consumers to question systems that feel […]
Rob Samtmann | Feb 02, 2026 |
Retail News

Inside Holiday Retail 2025

The 2025 holiday season unfolded against a backdrop of cautious optimism. While forecasts pointed to healthy sales growth, shoppers entered the period under significant financial pressure from prolonged inflation, tariff uncertainty and rising anxiety about the economy. Consumers still spent, but often with smaller budgets and greater price sensitivity, frequently turning to buy now, pay […]
Rob Samtmann | Dec 20, 2025 |
Retail News

Retail’s Strongest Markets Revealed

According to a recent article by CoStar, the U.S. retail real estate delivered another year of resilience in 2025, supported by a generally balanced relationship between supply and demand. This stability persisted even as the sector absorbed the impact of elevated store closings, underscoring the durability of well-located retail and the ongoing reset of weaker […]
Rob Samtmann | Dec 12, 2025 |
Retail News

A Merry Start to Holiday Shopping

Early indicators from the long Black Friday weekend suggest a strong opening chapter to the 2025 holiday shopping season. Retailers saw brisk activity both online and in stores. In a recent Forbes.com article, the tone is optimistic and reports that many analysts believe consumers arrived ready to spend. This early lift is helping to set […]
Rob Samtmann | Nov 19, 2025 |
Retail News

Act Early, Use AI, Win Big

With all the focus in recent months about how AI is shaping consumer behavior, a recent Forbes article reported on why it believes retailers need to position themselves this holiday season to take advantage. Black Friday has expanded into a multi-week cycle that now defines how retailers finish the year. With major chains launching promotions […]
Rob Samtmann | Oct 27, 2025 |
Retail News

Why Physical Stores Still Matter

The digital shopping experience has improved a lot over the years, providing convenience and personalization that shoppers appreciate. But even the most sophisticated online tools can’t replace the human connection, the “feel” of in-store shopping, particularly in specialty retail. Stores remain essential for product discovery, new launches, and services that strengthen customer loyalty. Physical locations […]
Rob Samtmann | Oct 13, 2025 |
Retail News

Who's Winning Halloween 2025?

Halloween 2025 is shaping up to be another record-breaking year for spending. In a recent article, RetailDive.com reported that the National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts consumers will spend $13.1 billion on the holiday, a nearly 13% increase from last year. While economic uncertainty and price concerns are still on consumers’ minds, shoppers continue to invest […]
Rob Samtmann | Sep 24, 2025 |
Retail News

Holiday Shopping 2025

Holiday retail sales are projected to grow between 2.9% and 3.4% this year, reaching $1.61 trillion to $1.62 trillion, according to Deloitte’s 2025 holiday forecast reported in Forbes.com recently. That’s about $40 to $45 billion more in spending than last year. Deloitte says the bump will likely come from steady gains in disposable income and […]
Rob Samtmann | Sep 09, 2025 |
Retail News

Winning the Algorithm

Showing up where shoppers look has always been difficult, and today it’s even more complex. Search doesn’t work the way it once did, and retailers can’t rely solely on keywords, links, or banner clutter to rise in visibility. Discovery now moves across search engines, social feeds, retail media networks, marketplaces, and AI assistants that connect […]

Rob Samtmann

Rob is Managing Principal of Equity CRE and he specializes in tenant representation and leasing.

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