Lisa Palmer, president and CEO of Regency Centers Corp. (Nasdaq: REG), participated in a video interview in conjunction with Nareit’s REITweek: 2021 Investor Conference.
Palmer talked about Regency’s recent work with the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Real Estate Graduate Study Mentorship Program. In April, graduate students joined with Regency’s team and other ULI members at the REIT’s newly developed Village at Riverstone shopping center in Houston, and Regency discussed its challenges and successes of developing and owning a grocery-anchored shopping center.
“At Regency, we’re always looking for ways to provide resources and mentorship opportunities to students interested in pursuing careers in our industry,” Palmer said. “ULI and Regency both focus on community and how to strengthen it through responsible land ownership and development.”
Palmer also discussed Regency’s Fresh Look program, introduced in 2015, which plays an important role in the REIT’s focus on creating welcoming gathering places at its shopping centers. She said the program’s three pillars, merchandizing, placemaking, and connecting, help Regency compete within the retail sector.
“Each of these pillars are really heavily influenced by the individual center…[which is why having] the local boots on the ground in our 22 offices across the country is so integral to our strategy,” she added.
Palmer said she believes there are tailwinds for Regency and the retail sector ahead, with consumers now ready to emerge from quarantine restrictions and interested in supporting local businesses.
“Our tenants [also] more clearly see and appreciate the value of the last-mile distribution capabilities that their stores and our centers offer,” she noted.