Carrie Charleston is Vice President-Head of Leasing at Mall of America, the 5.6-million-square-foot shopping, entertainment, and dining destination in Bloomington, Minnesota, owned by Triple Five Group. Carrie discusses the wave of new brands debuting at Mall of America—from SKIMS and Alo Yoga to Pop Mart and Miniso—and the growing influence of Asian retail and K-pop culture on the tenant mix. She also covers the property's marquee entertainment offerings, including Nickelodeon Universe and Sea Life Aquarium, the rise of competitive socializing concepts like Activate and Escape Games, and plans for a future water park expansion. Charleston explains how social media and influencer culture drive foot traffic, and how Mall of America collaborates with sister properties West Edmonton Mall and American Dream to offer retailers a unique portfolio of mega-destinations.

This interview was recorded at Entertainment Experience Evolution 2026, a conference by InterFace Conference Group, which is a division of France Media Inc.

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Listen: WhereWeBuy.show

Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here: http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Emily Crutcher, Senior Vice President of JLL's Government and Education Division, and Elsa Wilson, Senior Analyst in Research at JLL, join the show to discuss their analysis of 18 university anchored innovation districts across the United States. They explain how these districts — from Stanford Research Park to Kendall Square — foster innovation through concentrations of research institutions, startups, corporate partners, and venture capital. Office properties in these districts command up to a 36% rent premium and retail rents see a 28% premium compared to national benchmarks. The conversation covers case studies in Cambridge, Pittsburgh, and at Arizona State University, the role of entrepreneurial retail concepts in activating these districts, and why innovation districts are increasingly relevant for investors, occupiers, and public sector leaders.

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Listen: WhereWeBuy.show

Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here: http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Tucker Trotter is CEO of Dimensional Innovations, and Spencer Farley is Practice Director of Entertainment and Hospitality. They discuss Atlas9, an immersive experience in Kansas City themed around a 1990s movie theater where films have come to life. They explain how the concept was born during COVID, the role of live performers, and the gamification and narrative elements that drive repeat visits. They also cover the venue's food and beverage offerings, corporate event demand, expansion plans, and the company's other projects, including the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and projects with major sports and entertainment brands.

This interview was recorded at Entertainment Experience Evolution 2026, a conference by InterFace Conference Group, which is a division of France Media Inc.

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Listen: WhereWeBuy.show

Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here: http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.