DC resident retail preferences, will they shape the DC agenda at ICSC?

The International Council of Shopping Centers is the major trade organization for shopping center developers, property managers, chain retailers and restaurants, and support organizations.

Each May, the group holds a massive convention in Las Vegas, complemented by regional events throughout the year.

-- Mid-Atlantic ICSC meeting, February 2015

Since the Mayoral administration of Anthony Williams, DC Government has exhibited at the event, to highlight the economic advantages of the city and to recruit retailers, such as Target, to the city and specific developments.

When the city first started exhibiting, it was still a major stretch for national chains to consider center cities as a preferred location for expansion.

The city has come a long way since then, even if I do believe that retailers for the most part still aren't thinking urbanistically, but are more about bringing their stores to the city without much in the way of changes from suburban formats. See:

- It ain't true: chain retailers are entering the city, but not necessarily on the city's terms
- Another point about urban retail: Whole Foods, Design within Reach, and American Apparel

In preparation for this year's exhibiting and recruiting at ICSC, the Washington DC Economic Partnership is seeking resident input for their "preferences."

- Washington DC Economic Partnership Marks 15 Years at ICSC RECon in Vegas, press release

From email:

Poll: Residents Retail Wish List - What Would You Like The District To Have

Next week, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) plans to attend the annual global real estate convention – the International Council of Shopping Centers Conference (RECon), taking place May 17 to 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. RECon is the global convention for the shopping center industry and provides networking, deal making and educational opportunities for over 35,000 retail real estate professionals from around the world.

This year marks 15 years WDCEP has had a presence at the global convention representing Washington, DC for retail attraction. The District government and WDCEP’s presence at ICSC RECon, have led to deals that landed many popular retailers and restaurants into the District of Columbia. Some key retail successes due to WDCEP’s ICSC RECon efforts include Apple, Costco, H&M, Harris Teeter, Nike, and Nordstrom Rack.

This year, WDCEP and the District government will focus their efforts on promoting retail opportunities throughout the District with meetings scheduled with nearly 80 retailers including restaurants, grocery stores, clothiers, specialty stores, and national retailers.

Sound Off! Tell Us What's On Your Retail Wish List? WDCEP would like to hear from DC residents regarding what retail brands they would like to see place an "open for business" footprint into the District. What's missing? What's necessity? What's a want? Tweet @WDCEP #WeDC your thoughts!