During the ICSC New York Conference, we also snapped Urstadt Biddle Properties' James Aries, Forest City Enterprises CEO David LaRue, and ICSC CEO Michael Kercheval. You didn't buy enough PS4s, Xbox Ones, socks, Hug Me Elmos, and Monster High Dolls on Black Friday, we learned. Sales were weak this year, but retailers shouldn't fret: Overall November-December sales will be up 3.4% over last year, and 7% unemployment means more discretionary income to spend.
Here's Cushman & Wakefield Americas retail services leader Matt Winn, right, with NY senior director Steven Soutendijk. The top three retail stories to watch in 2014, according to Matt: the continued rise of luxury as it branches into off-prime locations (think Ulaanbaatar couture); further urbanization worldwide as people move back to cities; and a greater focus on outlets ("on fire, everywhere, every brand," he says).
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