JLL debuts new Retail Solutions Group
JLL is launching a new wing of its business to help retailers expand their physical footprints.
The firm’s new Retail Solutions Group (RSG) will serve as a “comprehensive partner” for retail brands at every stage of their evolution, including concept development and strategic planning. JLL says the integrated model will allow retail clients to access “best-in-class expertise” across all disciplines while maintaining consistency in brand expression and operational efficiency at scale.
The group is already working with multi-unit retail clients to transform their physical presence and enhance customer experiences across their portfolios. The group is made up of retail design, branding and digital teams, retail architecture teams, and multi-site project management teams.
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“Our clients told us clearly what they needed, which is a partner who could seamlessly guide them from innovation through execution, keeping their physical brand expression relevant and their customer journey compelling,” said Louis Molinini, Americas project and development services variable lead for JLL. “The Retail Solutions Group represents our commitment to meeting that need with a truly integrated approach that leverages the full depth of JLL’s capabilities.”
To support the launch, JLL has tapped industry veteran Mark Bateman as executive managing director to direct the initiative, and hired Kevin Songer as a managing director of architecture for the new group.
Bateman has more than 30 years of experience in business development and strategic direction, with a history of partnering with leading brands in convenience, grocery, restaurant, specialty retail and e-commerce. Before joining JLL in April, he served at WD Partners, where he provided counsel on strategic direction and market opportunities, helping clients align their service offerings to key business goals.
Songer joins JLL’s RSG from Gensler, where he spent over 21 years in progressively senior roles, most recently serving as principal and co-managing director of the firm’s Atlanta office. During his tenure at Gensler, Songer helped lead high-performing teams working with prominent international retailers.
“The retail landscape continues to evolve at an accelerated pace, demanding that brands constantly reimagine how they connect with consumers,” Batemen said. “The formation of Retail Solutions Group is an essential evolution of JLL’s retail business strategy and positions us to better enable clients to execute their visions with greater agility and impact, streamlining how brands bring experiences to market. I’m looking forward to delivering unrivaled consistency, speed and impact to JLL clients seeking to plan, design, build and scale their physical environments.”
