Retail
10 retail site selection experts
These ten real estate and location planning professionals have chosen or researched new store sites for retail chains. A reader can learn how retailers decide where to open new stores and which sites to pass on.
Professionals to explore
01—10Alastair Browne
LinkedInExperience: Director - Global Location Strategy & Insight · JD Sports Fashion
Director - Global Location Strategy & Insight at JD Sports Fashion since 2024 and Site Research & Development Manager there since 2005. Former Site Research Manager at Iceland Foods (2002–2005). The profile cites experience in shopping centre feasibility and retail location planning, and lists location planning and shopping centre development across the UK among its specialties.
Ashley Mack
LinkedInExperience: Real Estate Director · Target
Real Estate Director at Target since 2022, where the profile says Mack leads the strategy and execution of Target’s new store real estate program across several states and identifies high-potential trade areas through site searches, market tours and analysis of demographic, economic and competitive trends. Former Real Estate Manager at Meijer (2015–2022) and at Kohl's (2007–2015).
Chris Hedlund
LinkedInExperience: Sr Director, Location Decision Science · Best Buy
Sr Director, Location Decision Science at Best Buy since 2022 and former Director, Market Analysis Location DS there (2014–2022). The profile says Hedlund leads an analytics team focused on store portfolio optimization and market penetration, with a skillset in site selection, GIS and spatial data visualization.
Christian Ormond
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Site Location · AholdDelhaize USA
Director Of Site Location at AholdDelhaize USA since 2019. Former Director of Site Location at Delhaize Belgium (2010–2019), Director Of Site Location at Hannaford Supermarkets (2002–2011) and Site Location Analyst at Shaw’s and Star Market (1996–2002). The profile describes a site director with a history of working in the retail industry.
Cynthia Walker
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Area Research · Macy's
Former Vice President, Area Research at Macy's (1995–2010), where the profile says Walker headed a department of 14 responsible for market strategies, site location research and acquisition analyses for Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Former Director of Area Research at BATUS Retail Group (1985–1988) and Vice President at JMB Retail Properties Company (1989–1995).
George Bartlett
LinkedInExperience: Director of Real Estate Site Selection Strategic Planning Lease Negotiation Manager · WINN DIXIE Stores
Former Director of Real Estate Site Selection Strategic Planning Lease Negotiation Manager at WINN DIXIE Stores (2001–2005) and former Director of Real Estate Strategic Planning Acquisitions at Advance Auto Parts (2011–2017). Director Of Real Estate at The Fresh Market since 2019. The profile describes experience in strategic planning, site selection, acquisition and development for retailers and developers.
Gregory Harvey
LinkedInExperience: Director of Site Acquisition · Wawa, Inc.
Former Director of Site Acquisition (2022–2026) and Sr. Manager of Site Acquisition (1995–2022) at Wawa, Inc. The profile says the Director of Site Acquisition is responsible for developing the company’s real estate site selection and acquisition strategies for existing as well as new and/or adjacent market areas.
J. Robert Copeland
LinkedInExperience: Director of Real Estate · SHOE SHOW, INC.
Former Director of Real Estate at SHOE SHOW, INC. (2011), where the profile says Copeland's responsibilities included expanding markets with new retail locations throughout a 10 state region. Former Director of Real Estate at Harbor Freight Tools (2009–2010) and at Men's Wearhouse (1993–2007). Director at Pecos Retail Consultants since 2011.
Jason Williams
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Real Estate · Orvis
Former Senior Director Real Estate at Orvis (2015–2025), where the profile says Williams led the real estate department for Orvis Retail, Outlets, and Sporting Properties, overseeing market research, site selection, negotiations and the buildout process. Vice President Store Development & Real Estate at Fleet Feet since 2025. Former Real Estate Development Manager at AutoZone (2011–2013).
Michael Smith
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director, Market Planning · Dollar General
Former Sr. Director, Market Planning at Dollar General (2021–2024), a role in which the profile describes leading the retail site selection and new store strategy team for both the Dollar General and pOpshelf brands. Vice President, Market Planning and Strategy at Dollar General since 2024, and former Director, Market Planning West Region there (2013–2021).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's store format to yours, since picking sites for small-box convenience stores differs from choosing locations for big-box or mall-based stores. Ask whether the person worked on the analytics side, such as forecasting and trade area modeling, or on the deal side of finding and securing sites, and pick the one closer to the decision you face.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you forecast sales for a new store before you commit to a site?
- 02What signals tell you a trade area is already saturated with competitors or with your own stores?
- 03How do you balance what the data says about a site with what you see on a market tour?
Reaching retail site selection experts
How can I contact one of these retail site selection experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including JD Sports Fashion, Target and Best Buy, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach retail site selection experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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