Table of Contents

1. Shrinking Footprints, Smarter Teams

2. ESG Reporting Is Getting Real

3. AI-Powered Ops – Without Replacing Humans

4. Experience Is Still Everything

5. The Multi-Site Talent Squeeze

6. What we're seeing at Refit

1. Shrinking Footprints, Smarter Teams

Across the U.S., landlords and retailers are rationalizing their real estate holdings. From legacy malls to strip centers, we’re seeing a push toward smaller, more efficient formats. But this doesn’t mean fewer jobs — it means smarter ones.

The focus is shifting toward leaner teams who can wear multiple hats: someone who can oversee facilities, liaise with tenants, and represent the site in the community. It’s especially true in hybrid retail-office spaces and repositioned centers that are transitioning to more mixed-use formats.

Where Refit Comes In:

At Refit, we specialize in recruiting exactly these types of high-impact hires. Our clients look to us when they need multi-skilled, site-savvy people who can adapt, lead, and elevate site performance without extra headcount. Whether you’re repositioning a legacy site or consolidating portfolios, we find the hires who can thrive in leaner teams — without compromising quality.

2. ESG Reporting Is Getting Real

Sustainability and transparency are no longer just buzzwords. In 2025, new reporting requirements are coming into play for public REITs and major property holders. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics must be measured, reported, and, most importantly — acted on.

This is especially important in property operations. Tenants, investors, and communities are watching closely. That means hiring leaders who understand the operational side of ESG — from energy efficiency to tenant engagement, community initiatives, and vendor accountability.

What it means for hiring: More operators are asking for Facilities Managers who understand energy use reporting, or Center Managers who know how to drive community programs without a huge spend.

3. AI-Powered Ops – Without Replacing Humans

AI is showing up in property operations — but it’s not here to replace people. Instead, landlords and site leads are investing in AI tools that enhance decision-making: predictive maintenance platforms, tenant sentiment tracking, automated leasing workflows, and more.

But none of these tools run themselves. Operators still need people who can interpret the data, make judgment calls, and manage human relationships.

The takeaway: This trend is shifting hiring priorities. Instead of pure tech hires or old-school managers, landlords are looking for hybrid thinkers — professionals with emotional intelligence and digital fluency.

4. Experience Is Still Everything

Despite all the talk about tech, foot traffic, and retail downturns — the customer experience is still king. Tenants want high-quality sites. Shoppers want ease and ambiance. And landlords want teams that deliver both.

Marketing Managers, Event Leads, and Tenant Experience Coordinators are increasingly being brought in to boost dwell time, improve perception, and ultimately drive leasing outcomes. It’s not just about cleaning and compliance anymore — it’s about brand.

Hiring trend: Talent with hospitality, events, or consumer experience backgrounds are making the jump into retail property operations — and thriving. Expect more crossover hiring this year.

5. The Multi-Site Talent Squeeze

Retailers and operators running large site portfolios are under pressure. They need lean, reliable, high-performing regional teams. But the pool of proven Area Managers, Facilities Directors, and Ops Leads who can handle scale — is tightening.

We’re hearing it daily: “We just need someone solid who’s done this across 10+ sites and won’t need micromanaging.”

Why this matters: As retail networks consolidate and expand in new formats (think omnichannel logistics, showroom-only sites, or service-based retail), the need for experienced, multi-site talent has never been greater.

What Refit does: This is our sweet spot. We maintain a deep, vetted network of multi-site and regional leaders who’ve done it before — across sectors, geographies, and economic cycles.

6. What We’re Seeing at Refit

We’re speaking to landlords, operators, and site leaders across the U.S. every day — and the trends in this article reflect what we’re hearing on the ground. Site teams are being asked to do more with less, standout centers are doubling down on community and experience, and talent is still a key lever for performance.

If you want to dig deeper, here are a few sources worth checking out:

• Placer.ai – Foot traffic trends in shopping centers (2024–2025)

• JLL – U.S. Retail Outlook, H1 2025

• CBRE – How retail real estate is shifting this year

• Urban Land Institute – Mixed-use development insights

• ICSC – Retail property economic updates

• Deloitte – Future of consumer and retail 2025

• REIT earnings: Simon, Kimco, Regency, SITE Centers (Q1–Q2 2025)

  
  

We’re keeping close tabs on the data — but even closer tabs on what real teams need. If you’re hiring or thinking about your org structure, let’s chat.