The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss
The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss dives deep into the world of commercial real estate, bringing you exclusive stories, insights, and strategies from the industry’s top investors, developers, and dealmakers.
Hosted by Aaron Strauss, founder and managing partner of A.Y. Strauss, a leading real estate law firm, this podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at what drives success in commercial real estate. From uncovering the unique edge of industry leaders to exploring the challenges and triumphs they’ve faced, this podcast is a must-listen for commercial real estate investors, developers, brokers, and professionals looking to sharpen their skills and stay ahead in the competitive market.
Whether you’re navigating real estate law, structuring deals, or scaling your portfolio, The Dealmakers’ Edge delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories to help you take your career to the next level. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge and discover what it takes to thrive in commercial real estate today.
The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss
Retail Real Estate Innovation and Strategy with Tanger's Justin Stein
With over two decades in retail real estate, Justin Stein brings a unique perspective on how the industry has transformed—and where it's heading next. As Executive Vice President of Leasing at Tanger, he's been instrumental in the company's evolution from a legacy outlet operator to a dynamic, diversified portfolio of open-air shopping centers that blend outlet and full-price retail with experiential destinations.
In this episode of The Dealmakers' Edge, Justin shares how Tanger navigated its transformation during the challenging COVID era, building a new executive team while every store was closed. He discusses the strategic expansion into lifestyle centers through acquisitions like Bridge Street Town Centre, The Promenade, and Pinecrest, the critical importance of food and beverage in driving traffic and extending dwell time, and how technology and data analytics are reshaping the tenant experience. Justin also opens up about the soft skills that separate great leasing professionals from good ones—treating every lease as the beginning of a partnership, not the end of a transaction.
2:47 - Justin's unconventional entry into real estate from his buddy's couch to CBRE industrial
3:56 - Tanger's history and the bold transformation under CEO Stephen Yalof during COVID
7:06 - Strategic evolution from outlet-only to full-price retail with lifestyle center acquisitions
9:06 - Key takeaways from this year's ICSC Vegas conference and the optimistic mood
11:56 - How Tanger stays ahead of retail trends through strategic reinvestment and partnerships
13:47 - Portfolio diversification beyond footwear and apparel into F&B and entertainment
16:05 - The Nashville development as a blueprint for placemaking and experiential retail
18:28 - Technology integration through the loyalty app and omnichannel strategies
22:50 - Building long-term brand partnerships versus transactional lease deals
25:01 - What's changed in retailer conversations about opening new stores
26:41 - Tanger's growth plans and expansion into new markets and categories
30:57 - Career advice: doing what you love and leaving everything on the field
Mentioned In Retail Real Estate Innovation and Strategy with Tanger's Justin Stein
Connect with Justin Stein on LinkedIn
Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.
Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:
- Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
- Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
- Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
- Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)
