Last year’s Retail Trends & Outlook webinar brought record attendance—and for good reason. Retail leaders, city officials, and developers tuned in to understand the shifts driving store openings, consumer behavior, site selection decisions, and investment confidence. In 2025, we saw migration patterns reshaping trade areas, tight supply pushing rents up, new store growth led by discount and QSR categories, and strong demand in emerging markets across the country.
Retailers and developers are entering 2026 with a similar mindset: steady growth, careful planning, and a close eye on economic signals. Communities that understand these patterns will be the ones best positioned to recruit new brands, strengthen local development, and support long-term investment.
This year’s session brings you the clearest view yet of what’s coming.
What You’ll Learn
During this live session, we’ll cover:
- The latest economic indicators shaping retail decisions in early 2026
- Consumer behavior updates and what they mean for store expansion
- Where retailers are growing—and which categories are leading the way
- How secondary and rural markets continue to gain attention
- What retailers expect from communities evaluating new sites
- How AI and automation are changing store operations and customer experience
- Practical steps cities can take now to get ahead of recruitment opportunities
Who Should Attend
- Mayors, city managers, and economic development leaders
- Downtown directors and chamber executives
- Retail brokers and property owners
- Developers and site selection teams
- Anyone working to strengthen their local retail mix
Your Presenters
Lacy Beasley, President of Retail Strategies
Elliott Cook, Director of Real Estate, Retail Strategies
Lacy and Elliott speak nationwide on retail recruitment, development patterns, and market trends. Their insights come directly from conversations with national brands, developers, and hundreds of communities across the U.S.
Why This Webinar Matters
Retail is evolving quickly. Don’t rely on outdated assumptions.
This session will give you a grounded, practical view of where the industry is heading and how to position your community for success in 2026.
Save Your Seat
Register now to join us on Thursday, January 29 at 1:00 PM CT.
A recording will be provided to all registrants.
