Retail isn’t dead—it’s transforming. Laura Marrero, Partner and Strategy Director at Gensler, reveals why the best brands are rethinking stores as experiences, not just points of sale.
We explore the “PhD” of retail—Physical, Human, Digital—and why the future is less about malls and more about destinations that build belonging. From Westfield Century City to the rise of retailtainment, Laura explains how to design spaces that people actually want to visit.
Timestamps:
(00:00) – Intro
(02:15) – Laura Marrero’s career path
(05:42) – Why retail is transforming
(09:18) – Flagships, inline, and pop-ups
(12:56) – The PhD of retail
(16:33) – How people choose locations
(20:11) – Destination retail vs. convenience
(24:07) – Case study: Century City mall
(28:52) – Lifestyle experiences that work
(33:15) – The parking problem explained
(36:44) – Retailtainment and social connection
(40:12) – Scarcity, drops, and belonging
(44:20) – Closing thoughts and key takeaways
Check out today's guest, Lara Marrero:
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