Leslie Cook, Regional Manager of Business Development

ICSC@NEW ENGLAND 2025 was more than a retail real estate conference—it was a high-impact gathering of visionaries, thought leaders and dealmakers shaping the future of commerce in the Northeast. Held at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, the event drew developers, brokers, retailers, and service providers eager to explore next-generation retail strategies. From grocery industry forecasts to retailer expansion insights, here are the top seven takeaways from this year’s must-attend event.

1. Shaping Tomorrow’s Grocery Landscape: Our Senior Vice President Steven Duffy delivered an engaging, data-driven presentation on the grocery landscape of 2035, exploring the intersection of technology, logistics and evolving consumer behavior. Key insights included:

• • Current Market Landscape: Approximately 17 grocery chains operate within the six New England states.
  • Digital Transformation: AI is streamlining operations, enhancing customer experience and increasing logistical efficiency.
  • 2035 Grocery Outlook – Three Core Drivers: Automation, personalization and sustainability.
  • AI-Powered Shopping Tools: Digital shelf labels, personalized promotions, and immersive AR/VR shopping.
  • Omnichannel Integration: Seamless blending of physical and online shopping experiences.
  • Automation & Robotics in Operations: Advancements in supply chain, logistics and real-time product tracking.
  • Emerging Robotics Typologies: Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), humanoid robots, ground-based delivery and aisle-scanning technology.
  • Disruptive Fulfillment Models: Robotic central fulfillment enabling market entry without traditional brick-and-mortar investment.
  • eGrocery Adoption Trends:
    • Aug. 2019: $2B in online grocery sales
    • Mar. 2020: $6.5B
    • Mar. 2025: $9.7B
  • Growth Outlook: Total grocery market growth projected at 1.6% annually; eGrocery at 4.5%.
  • Regulatory Impacts:
    • EPA AIM Act – Low-GWP refrigerant upgrades
    • FDA FSMA 204 – Enhanced traceability of high-risk foods
  • Strategic Imperative: Retailers must evolve their brand relevance to succeed in the marketplace of the future.

2. Retailer Runway: Growth and Site Selection Strategies
   The Retailer Runway session featured high-growth brands including Bartaco, Potbelly, ShopRite, Great Clips, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Presenters outlined store counts, market priorities, site requirements and timelines—offering developers and brokers actionable leasing intelligence.
   Example Highlights:

• • Dave’s Hot Chicken – fast casual restaurant: Current stores, 233 – 280 new stores planned over four years. Size: 2,000 – 2,700 SF with 15–30 seat ratio. Preference for endcaps, standalone pads, urban storefronts, and strong co-tenancy, preferably with drive-thrus. Minimum 25 feet of frontage, strong retail co-tenancy, and accessible parking.
  • ShopRite: Current stores, 276 Targeting NJ, NY, PA, CT, MD, DE; sites require 50,000–90,000 SF with full-service grocery capabilities. The format features a full-service grocery offering a deli, prepared foods, in-store café, pharmacy, butcher, seafood counter, on-site dietitians and cooking classes, along with online ordering and delivery services. Designed to serve a broad income spectrum, ideal sites must accommodate 6–10 WB-67 trucks and provide a 5/1,000 parking ratio.

3. Networking Events with Measurable Value
   High-impact networking experiences included the ICSC Women’s Networking Reception and Women’s Pipeline Happy Hour, fostering mentorship, collaboration and leadership visibility in retail real estate.
4. Retailer Networking Parties & Dinners
   Exclusive events hosted by Atlantic Retail, Wilder, Aries Engineering, Catic Commercial, Rich Mays Attorneys at Law, RCA, Kimley-Horn, Cuhaci Peterson, New England Development and New England Construction offered relaxed, high-value relationship-building opportunities.
5. Future-Focused Education Sessions
   Educational tracks addressed retail disruption, AI adoption, distressed asset repositioning, ESG regulations and evolving zoning strategies. Sessions such as Distress to Success and AI Early Adopters provided practical, market-ready solutions.
6. Boston’s Seaport: An Ideal Host
   The Seaport’s walkable waterfront, diverse dining, and vibrant atmosphere elevated networking opportunities and informal business discussions. The Omni Boston Hotel placed attendees in the heart of one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
7. Direct Access to Retail Decision-Makers
   Retailer booths on the show floor provided attendees with direct access to key decision-makers, enabling valuable discussions about programming objectives, design trends and expansion strategies. For professionals pursuing building or leasing opportunities with brands, this setting offered an efficient, high-impact way to gather insights and establish connections.

Conclusion
ICSC@NEW ENGLAND 2025 reinforced the value of in-person collaboration and targeted education in driving retail success. With actionable market insights, direct decision-maker access, and a forward-looking agenda, the event empowered retail professionals to make smarter, faster, and better-informed decisions.

Conference Recognition
A heartfelt thank you to the ICSC New England Marketplace Council Volunteer Leadership and the 2025 Program Advisory Committee for your tremendous efforts in organizing an impactful and well-executed event. Your dedication and leadership helped make ICSC@NEWENGLAND a true success. Congratulations on a job well done!

ICSC New England Marketplace Council Volunteer Leadership

• Michael Branton, ICSC Marketplace Director, New England Marketplace; Conviser Property Group
• Thomas Smith, ICSC Membership Chair, New England Marketplace; KPR Centers
• Travis Ginsberg, ICSC Next Generation Co-Chair, New England Marketplace; Summit Realty Partners, Inc.
• James Morrissey, ICSC Next Generation Co-Chair, New England Marketplace; Brown Rudnick LLP
• Matt Lattanzi, ICSC Community Advancement Chair, New England Marketplace; City of Everett
• Caitlin Borowick, ICSC Government Relations Co-Chair, New England Marketplace; Panera Bread
• James Prieto, ICSC Government Relations Co-Chair, New England Marketplace; Graite Commercial Real Estate
• Sam Kallmerten, CLS, ICSC Government Relations Co-Chair, New England Marketplace; Brixmor Property Group
• Jill Szymanski, CLS, ICSC Talent Development Chair, New England Marketplace; Kalibrate

ICSC@New England 2025 Program Advisory Committee

• John Pariseau, Chair; Hinckley Allen
• Diana Perry, Vice Chair; Rumphius Marketing
• Michael Branton, Conviser Property Group
• Lindsay Corsino, Phase Zero Design
• Travis Ginsberg, Summit Realty Partners Inc.
• Aaron Huntley, Horvath & Tremblay
• Ryan Leeming, cgp, Edens
• Kass McInnis, Flynn Group | Planet Fitness
• Matt Nader, Horvath & Tremblay
• Thomas Phillips, Brown Rudnick LLP
• Kim Sluter, New England Construction
• Thomas Smith, KPR Centers
• David Steinberg, CLS, Ocean State Job Lot
• Jamie Sullivan, Bowman Consulting
• Jill Szymanski, Kalibrate
• Scott Warner, New England Construction