ANYTHING RETAIL

WITH ROB SAMTMANN

Rob Samtmann | Aug 27, 2025 |

Retail Gets Leaner

Why Store Closures Signal Strength, Not Weakness The headlines may sound alarming. Thousands of store closings, shrinking head counts, and retail job cuts are making news. Yet the real story unfolding in 2025 is one of reinvention and efficiency, not collapse. AS a recent article in Forbes points out, so far this year nearly 6,000 […]

Rob Samtmann | Aug 12, 2025 |

Retail's Top 5 Power Moves in 2025

The first half of 2025 has delivered a wave of retail deal-making, with five standout transactions setting the tone for the rest of the year. From high-profile brand sales to aggressive acquisition strategies, these moves are redefining competitive landscapes and creating ripple effects across store portfolios. For commercial real estate professionals, staying ahead of these […]

Rob Samtmann | Jul 14, 2025 |

Philly Hiring Reaches New Heights

The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area posted impressive employment growth in May 2025, reinforcing confidence in the region’s economic resilience. According to a recent CoStar article by Brenda Nguyen, preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that total nonfarm employment rose to 3,154,100 jobs – an increase of 15,800 from April. This monthly gain far […]

Rob Samtmann | May 27, 2025 |

From Doggy Day Care to Ethnic Grocers

A recent CoStar article after the annual ICSC Conference in Las Vegas reported the dramatic transformation that shopping centers across the US are undergoing as legacy retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond, Party City, and Forever 21 exit the scene. In their place, a more eclectic mix of tenants is emerging—ranging from wellness clinics to […]

Rob Samtmann | Apr 21, 2025 |

Grocery Is Still A Winning Bet

A recent Forbes.com article laid out the case for how the grocery sector continues to outperform as one of retail’s most resilient and dynamic categories. While overall spend remains strong, shoppers are becoming more intentional – trading brand loyalty for better value and efficiency. Today’s consumers are no longer sticking to a single store. Instead, […]

Rob Samtmann | Mar 25, 2025 |

Gen Z Still Prefers In-Person Shopping

As a recent article from RetailDive.com reports, the lines between online and in-store shopping continue to blur. However, one generation appears to be leading the charge in redefining how we shop: Generation Z. According to recent research by Adyen, Gen Z is eager to make the most of their physical shopping experiences, favoring brick-and-mortar stores […]

Rob Samtmann | Feb 10, 2025 |

Predictions for 2025

How will inflation, interest rates and the U.S. consumer fare in 2025? In recent years, Brian Blank (finance scholar and Fed watcher) and Brandy Hadley (finance professor) have provided economic forecasting as the resident prognosticators at The Conversation US. In a recent article for Newshour on PBS.org, they shared their predictions for 2025. Turning their […]

Rob Samtmann | Jan 23, 2025 |

U.S. Retail Ends 2024 Strong

Retail is heading into 2025 with the wind at its back – can US consumers keep up the retail spending? A Forbes article from Pam Danziger discusses some recent stats and what they could potentially mean. Key Facts: Big Question As we approach the peak holiday shopping season, American households find themselves in a challenging […]

Rob Samtmann | Jan 06, 2025 |

Holiday Retail Looks Strong

2024 retail sales rose 3.8 percent compared with the same period last year. The holiday shopping season exceeded expectations, with consumers eager to find discounts and deals, fueling stronger-than-anticipated sales for retailers. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, U.S. retail sales rose 3.8 percent from November 1 to December 24 compared to the previous year, surpassing predictions […]

Rob Samtmann | Dec 18, 2024 |

Expansion Plans Hatching in Philly

A recent CoStar article reports on how multiple fried chicken restaurants are expanding in Philadelphia: new leases for these establishments have doubled over 2023. The Philadelphia area has experienced a significant increase in the number of new fried chicken restaurants opening in the past year, with more on the way. Both local and national brands […]

Rob Samtmann

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

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