Retail Expansion — Chicago, IL

A Los Angeles–based landlord managing a multi-unit retail property faced prolonged vacancies and inconsistent tenant quality. Despite strong foot-traffic potential, the property underperformed due to unclear positioning and lack of a targeted leasing strategy.

Client Challenge

  • Rising vacancy rates despite a prime location
  • Fragmented tenant mix leading to low synergy and shorter lease terms
  • No clear understanding of which tenant categories would maximize revenue
  • Competing properties attracting preferred tenants due to stronger positioning

The landlord needed a clear, evidence-driven playbook to attract desirable tenants and increase rental yield.

Our Approach

We conducted a multi-layer analysis to understand demand, competition, and consumer behavior around the asset:

  • Demographic and psychographic mapping
  • Spending patterns across retail categories
  • Competitive benchmarking within a 3-mile radius
  • Foot-traffic and mobility flow analysis by time of day & day of week

Property Positioning & Pitch Enhancement

We repositioned the property from a “generic retail space” to a destination asset with a curated tenant mix, backed by data.

This shift reframed the asset’s value in the eyes of tenants, highlighting its demand drivers, competitive advantages, and long-term revenue potential.

Leasing Support

We provided a shortlist of active tenants expanding in Los Angeles, including:

  • Brand growth profiles
  • Space requirements
  • Contact and outreach sequence

Results

After implementing the strategy, the landlord achieved rapid lease-up of previously vacant units and improved rental yields, with high-quality tenants willing to pay stronger base rents. The property now benefits from a more cohesive tenant mix that enhances cross-shopping and overall appeal. Interest from expanding brands increased significantly, reducing dependence on cold outreach. These improvements collectively drove a 30% boost in revenue within the first quarter.

Proven Success Across U.S. Retail Markets

We partner with global and emerging brands to drive strategic expansion backed by data and market intelligence.

Landlord Leasing Strategy — Los Angeles,

Landlord Leasing Strategy — Los Angeles,

  • Targeted ideal tenant categories using 
market data
  • Improved property positioning
Result: +30% revenue in first quarter
Read Case Study
Market Entry Strategy — New York, NY

Market Entry Strategy — New York, NY

  • Modeled customer movement across key districts
  • Matched brand profile to high-demand
Result: +30% revenue in first quarter
Read Case Study
Landlord Leasing Strategy — Los Angeles, Copy

Landlord Leasing Strategy — Los Angeles, Copy

  • Targeted ideal tenant categories using 
market data
  • Improved property positioning
Result: +30% revenue in first quarter
Read Case Study

Ready to Make Data-Driven Real Estate Decisions?

No guesswork. No gut-only decisions. Let's talk about what Foundation CRE can do for your portfolio, whether you're a landlord, tenant, investor, or international brand entering the U.S. market.