ANYTHING RETAIL

WITH ROB SAMTMANN

Rob Samtmann | Nov 02, 2026 |
Retail News

Stores Still Close the Sale

AI is changing how people shop. However, it isn’t changing where they buy nearly as much as you’d think. A recent Forbes piece argues that artificial intelligence may actually make physical stores more valuable this holiday season. Shoppers trust AI, but they still want the real thing Three in 10 consumers now say they trust […]
Rob Samtmann | Oct 07, 2026 |
Retail News

Shoppers Keep Spending Anyway

American consumers are spending more, even though most of them say they’re unhappy with the economy. For anyone tracking retail real estate, that gap between mood and behavior is worth examining. Household spending rose 6.1% in the 12 months through August, according to the Commerce Department. That’s up from 4.3% growth at the end of […]
Rob Samtmann | Sep 28, 2026 |
Retail News

Business Is Booming Again

U.S. business activity just hit its strongest pace in more than five years. A recent Costar article reported on the trend, since demand for commercial real estate space tends to follow demand for goods and services. The Headline Numbers The S&P Global flash U.S. composite purchasing managers index (PMI) rose to 58.4 in September. That’s […]
Rob Samtmann | Sep 02, 2026 |
Retail News

Walmart Is Chasing Wealthier Shoppers

Something important is happening at Walmart: it’s not abandoning its core customer. It’s broadening its appeal. Walmart remains focused on price and continues to cut prices across thousands of household items. But in its most recent quarterly results, the company said its U.S. market-share gains were “led by upper-income households.” That’s worth paying attention to. […]
Rob Samtmann | Aug 17, 2026 |
Retail News

Doing The Math

When retailers and investors evaluate where to plant their next flag, it comes down to a few fundamentals: Can you reach enough customers? Is the workforce deep enough to staff the business? Is the local economy stable? And is there enough foot traffic to sustain sales? Philadelphia checks every box. With 1.57 million residents, it’s […]
Rob Samtmann | Aug 03, 2026 |
Retail News

Value Drives Growth

For years, restaurants relied on price increases to grow revenue. A recent article in QSRMagazine.com points out that that strategy is becoming less effective as consumers become more selective with discretionary spending. The National Restaurant Association projects just 1.3% real sales growth this year, while industry traffic has remained soft. Today’s diners aren’t necessarily looking […]
Rob Samtmann | Jul 17, 2026 |
Retail News

Gen Z Discovers IRL Shopping Is Cool

Fashion trends move in cycles, and this time the shift is bigger than clothing styles. It’s changing how young people shop, and where. Gen Z, the first fully digital generation and the largest generation in the US at roughly 70 million people, grew up with easy online shopping and pandemic-disrupted school and social lives. Now […]
Rob Samtmann | Jul 02, 2026 |
Retail News

May Retail Sales Jump 6.6%

U.S. retail sales climbed 6.6% in May compared to a year ago, reaching $275.21 billion in total monthly sales. E-commerce led the way, rising nearly 10%, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. But the headline number tells only part of the story. Inflation and a wave of late tax refunds helped […]
Rob Samtmann | Jun 19, 2026 |
Retail News

GLP-1s Are Rewriting the Rules of Retail

A recent article in RetailDive.com reported on how the new weight-loss drugs are reshaping retail, and is poised to impact retailers beyond this surge in demand, disrupting assortment planning and exposing weakness in processes. People using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are buying new clothes, shoes, and more. As of last fall, nearly a quarter of U.S. […]
Rob Samtmann | Jun 03, 2026 |
Retail News

Philly's World Cup Retail Moment

Philadelphia quietly made a smart bet on the FIFA World Cup, and the city’s retail and food-and-beverage scene stands to benefit. While other host cities chased the classic mega-event playbook of high-spending international tourists and premium hotel packages, Philadelphia prepared for a more realistic outcome: shorter domestic trips, regional visitors and deal-conscious fans who still […]

Rob Samtmann

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

Call Rob

1.484.417.2208

Envelope Linkedin-in Instagram