What is retail development?

Retail development involves planning, creating, and managing retail spaces or strategies to maximize sales and customer engagement. Professionals in this field work on everything from identifying locations and negotiating leases to designing store layouts and optimizing product placement. The goal is to ensure retail environments meet consumer needs and business objectives, often collaborating with marketing, merchandising, and operations teams. Retail developers may work for brands, landlords, or property developers, and are key to expanding a company's physical presence.