Boots on the Ground: Retail’s Human Element in an AI-Driven World with Gregg Katz

Retail has been declared “dead” more times than we can count, but the data (and the parking lot oil stains) tell a very different story. Manus Clancy and Dianne Crocker sit down with Gregg Katz, Director of Business Industry Solutions – Real Estate at Esri, for a wide-ranging conversation on why boots-on-the-ground insight still matters in a world overflowing with AI, dashboards, and foot-traffic metrics. From the myth of the retail apocalypse to why visitation doesn’t always equal transactions, Gregg unpacks how generational shifts, population migration, and what he calls “enjoyment retail” are reshaping malls, grocery-anchored centers, and site selection strategy. Along the way, the team detours into nostalgic retail icons (Service Merchandise, anyone?), why Gen X’s spending power may be hiding in plain sight, and a delightfully human story about Lego’s ageless appeal. It’s a smart, human, and refreshingly real look at where retail is headed, and what the data alone can’t tell you.01:37 Gregg Katz's Journey in Retail 03:39 The Evolution of Retail 07:43 Retail Trends and Consumer Behavior 18:28 Population Migration and Retail Impact 22:01 Generational Spending Power 26:21 Balancing Data and Human Judgment in Retail 30:40 Future of Retail and Consumer Spending33:19 Nostalgia and Retail: The Lego StoryHave questions for the pod team? Send them to [email protected]. Send us Fan Mailwww.lightboxre.com