Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Issue link: https://sct.epubxp.com/i/390025
REPORT When it comes to retail innovation, restaurants are where it's at, panelists said at an SCTLive event titled "Tomorrow's Top Retailers" at The Grove, in Los An- geles, in August. "The food category has been at the forefront," said Frederick Collings, CRX, CSM, CLS, senior vice president of leasing for the Irvine, Calif.– based Irvine Co. More new concepts are coming out of the food category than any other, thanks in part to many consumers' declining interest in cooking at home, he said. "Dining out offers people a chance to see and be seen that can't be found online." Caruso Affiliated Holdings is adding innovative restaurants to its properties, said Jackie Levy, the firm's executive vice president of operations. "Our job is to create en- vironments that people come back to, and restaurants play a big part in that." The Nordstrom store at the Grove recently added a restaurant to keep customers lingering longer, he said. Many new chains are applying Chipotle's successful "quick-serve cafeteria" model to different kinds of food, Collings said. These include Lemonade, Tender Greens, Urban Plates and others. Chipotle has intro- duced a "make your own pizza" feature that has been adopted by a series of fast-growing chains such as Pieology and Blaze Pizza, he said. These chains capitalize on consumers' desire for conve- nience. "Casual and value are the keys to success in food right now," said Jeffrey Moore, senior man- aging director for CBRE. Other successful concepts, such as Fig & Olive and Javier's, are also growing by serving these needs, Moore said. Food trucks could be a source of inspiration for landlords seeking to energize their properties, said Monica Corcoran Harel, a Los Angeles–based fashion writer and creative consultant who tracks consumer trends. "If you can get a great meal from a food truck, then why not a food court?" she said. Collings said Irvine Co. has signed a lease with popular Los Angeles food truck operator The Lime Truck to open its first brick- and-mortar unit. "The truck can't be within so many feet of the store, and they pay percentage rent on the truck's sales," he said. International food concepts are also headed to the U.S. Collings said Dubai-based PappaRoti recently signed a lease to test the popularity of its fare with the large Persian community in Los Angeles. Of course, placing a bet on a new dining concept is risky, panelists agreed. "A lot of it is franchisees," Collings said. "You have to take a risk and hope that it works." SCT 12 S C T / O c t O b e r 2 0 1 4 Dining concepts are leading retail innovation, panel says Entertainment Infusion Cinemas and restaurants are star players when it comes to creating a memorable shopping experience Oct. 21, 2014 • 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Dallas Executives from the hottest dining, theater and other entertainment concepts explain what their businesses bring to a shopping center and discuss what they look for in a new location. Nurturing Tenants What can a shopping center do to help independent retailers succeed? Nov. 13, 2014 • 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Chicago A panel of landlords and tenants discusses innovative programs that have helped mom-and-pop operators fine-tune their business strategies and attract more shoppers. register for these upcoming events at www.icsc.org/sctlive