A packed house gathered for the recent Connect Retail West 2025 at the Luxe Sunset Blvd. Hotel in Los Angeles to hear expert panels discuss the current state of the industry. Leading off the one-day event was the panel A View from the Top: Shaping Retail CRE on the West Coast.
The panel included moderator Alex J. Caruso of Cox Castle; Jim Dillavou of Paragon Commercial Group; Joseph Miller of Runyon Group; Andrew Turf of Newmark and Kevork Zoryan of Arselle Investments. They delivered a clear message that brick-and-mortar retail is not only stabilizing but regaining favor among consumers and investors after more than a decade of turbulence.
The panel provided viewpoints from various retail components, including boutique placemaking, institutional investment, grocery-anchored centers, and high-street retail. Although the speakers operate nationally, the conversation focused on Southern California, a region that panelists described as both a bellwether and a battleground for the future of U.S. retail.
During the second of four panel, Retail Leasing Trends: Unblocking Value in a Shifting Market, veteran brokers, developers, and designers offered a candid, often optimistic look at the evolving West Coast retail landscape. The panel, made up of representatives from Matthews, Simon Property Group, KWP Real Estate, and architecture firm RDC, focused on shifting consumer behavior, the rise of experiential tenants, and the need for landlords to reinvest in their properties.
Panelists agreed that the pandemic accelerated changes are already underway. Coffee concepts and boutique fitness now dominate tenant inquiries, said Michael Pakaravan of Matthews, noting that consumers are yearning for an opportunity to connect after years of isolation. Lifestyle and wellness brands continue to outperform legacy retailers, while entertainment concepts are playing a larger role in extending shopper dwelling times.
The third panel, Getting Deals Across the Finish Line, included moderator Shaunt M. Kodaverdian; Cody Charfauros of Slatt Capital; David Chasin of Pegasus, and Shauna Smith of Chicago Title. Their consensus was that retail real estate has roared back to life, with 2025 transaction activity returning to pre-pandemic 2019 levels after years of volatility.
The fourth panel, Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions and Uncertainty, included Jacqueline M. Moore of Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and Erin Poulson Morris of Wonderful Real Estate. Along with supply chain disruptions, the discussion focused on escalating tariffs, shifting trade routes and geopolitical shifts, all of which impact retail location strategy.
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