SNL Insights
Episode 3 – Retail ReCap: ICSC 2025 Live Coverage
Retail Insights and Updates
In this episode, hosts Jeremy Mercer, Will Narduzzi, Rob Franks, and Secure Net Lease’s Bob Moorhead, along with guest Travis Alvarado from Velvet Taco and Matt Peterson from Estacado Interests, discuss current trends in retail and restaurant real estate while broadcasting live from the ICSC Red River event floor.
Key topics include:
- Retail & Restaurant Market Trends
- Post-pandemic real estate availability
- Omnichannel strategies and experiential retail
- Rising construction and operational costs
- Velvet Taco’s Growth Strategy
- Currently at 45 locations, expanding into Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, with potential moves into Denver, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas
- Moving away from a rigid prototype model
- Labor costs in high-wage states and how they are influencing market entry decisions
- Regional Market Differences
- Dallas, Houston, and Austin offer more expansion flexibility
- Chicago and other older cities pose challenges due to expensive construction and strict labor regulations
- Brands like Starbucks and McDonald’s are moving into smaller markets
- The Role of ICSC & Industry Networking
- Face-to-face deal-making at ICSC accelerates transactions
- Networking opportunities help retailers, developers, and brokers align on real estate strategies and leasing deals
This episode highlights how adaptability, strategic flexibility, and in-person networking are crucial for success in the post-pandemic retail real estate market. Retailers and developers must stay ahead of trends, control costs, and be open to new market opportunities to thrive in 2025.
New episodes drop once a month, so tune in for your monthly dose of retail updates and commentary!
How to Listen:
