Al Urbanski

Real Estate Editor & Manager

Author Profile

Al Urbanski is the real estate editor of Chain Store Age. He has covered CSA’s retail real estate beat since he joined the brand in 2016.

Al is a veteran of the retail and and consumer products marketing industry, with more than 30 years of reporting experience. Over the course of his career, he served as the chief editor for a variety of publications, including Sales & Marketing Management, Food & Beverage Marketing, Promo and others.

Al is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Connect with Al on LinkedIn.

ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR

2/21/2021
Graiser: U.S. retailers are captured in a $40 billion deferral bubble
After herd immunity quells the threat of COVID-19 and masks are thrown away, retailers will still be feeling the ill-effects of the pandemic, according to Andy Graiser, co-president of A&G Real Estate Partners.

Al Urbanski
2/21/2021
Masks gone by July? Or April? Depends on which paper you read
The achievement of herd immunity from COVID-19 in the United States—an occurrence that would drive crowds back to shops, restaurants, and theaters—could happen in July. Or April. It depends on whether you want to put more weight behind the estimates from the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal.

Al Urbanski
2/18/2021
NewMark Merrill’s ‘Wave of Kindness’ Makes its 8th Run
One of the special aspects of the retail real estate business is that major malls and shopping centers become local focal points in scores, or even hundreds, of communities.

Al Urbanski
2/18/2021
Avalon plans spring marketplace for local artisans
Avalon, the highly popular mixed-used center outside of Atlanta. is big on green spaces and gathering spaces but inventive with empty spaces, too.

Al Urbanski
2/16/2021
RPAI chief says strong fourth quarter augurs a comeback in 2021

Al Urbanski
2/15/2021
Westfield introduces on-demand work spaces at Valley Fair
Westfield Valley Fair is one of the first retail centers to introduce ZenSpace work spaces, which the company describes as “SmartPods.”

Al Urbanski
2/15/2021
The fastest-growing retailer in the cannabis industry doesn’t sell cannabis
The fastest-growing retail cannabis business in the United States saw its revenue rise 140% in 2020, fueled by a same-store sales increase of 63%.

Al Urbanski
2/11/2021
Robert J. Congel, pioneering retail center developer, dies at 85
Congel, 85 years old, died peacefully at his home in North Syracuse on Feb. 3.

Al Urbanski
2/11/2021
Jeff Berkes is named president of Federal Realty
Federal Realty, owner and operator of more than 100 shopping centers and power centers, has named Jeffrey S. Berkes president and chief operating officer.

Al Urbanski
2/10/2021
5Qs for Mark Toro on the lure of mixed-use town centers
In 2014, North American Properties opened Avalon in Alpharetta, Ga. Since then, the retail scene northwest of Atlanta has not been the same.

Al Urbanski