Retail Recruitment Consulting Services

The Vendor is required to provide commercial real estate brokerage firm or retail recruitment consultant to provide retail recruitment services that build upon the city’s 2025 shopping center analysis.
- The city completed the shopping center analysis in 2025, which provided a comprehensive economic and development profile, retail market analysis, mixed-use analysis, and lease information portfolio.
- The city intends to collaborate closely with the selected broker or consultant to identify priority centers, evaluate recruitment opportunities, and advance targeted strategies that foster sustainable growth and a vibrant commercial environment.
- The City seeks a Broker or Consultant that will utilize the most current data to strategically identify and recruit retail tenants.
- Collaborate with city staff to review and refine recruitment priorities based on the 2025 shopping center analysis;
- Demonstrate knowledge of city regulations, including zoning, permitting, and business licensing, and incorporate this understanding into tenant recruitment, outreach, and leasing guidance;
- Provide professional brokerage/consulting expertise to improve occupancy rates, strengthen tenant mix, and enhance the competitiveness of the City’s shopping centers;
- Recruitment Planning Strategy shall consist of the following but are not limited to:
•    Review and prioritize tenant categories identified in the 2025 analysis, taking into account current market conditions, tenant availability, and trends, to create a focused list of recruitment priorities;
•    Prepare a concise brief summarizing the prioritized recruitment approach, including targeted tenants, outreach tactics, and measurable objectives;
•    Provide periodic updates to city staff on recruitment progress, highlighting any adjustments based on evolving market conditions, tenant interest, or new opportunities.
- Tenant Prospecting, Outreach, and City Marketing shall consist of the following but are not limited to:
•    Develop a prioritized list of prospective retail and restaurant tenants, including regional and national brands as well as unique local operators;
•    Review and distribute marketing materials (e.g., demographic profiles, site sheets, trade area maps, and property portfolios) to prospective tenants;
•    Conduct targeted outreach:
•    Directly contact prospective tenants via calls, emails, and meetings;
•    Engage property managers, shopping center owners, and local business owners to identify available spaces and recruitment opportunities;
•    Attend trade shows, industry events, and networking opportunities;
•    Promote lake forest’s commercial centers through presentations and outreach materials;
- Reporting Requirements shall consist of the following but are not limited to:
•    Prepare monthly/quarterly written progress reports summarizing recruitment efforts and measurable outcomes (contacts, tours, proposals, leases);
•    Prepare an annual report detailing tenant recruitment outcomes, lessons learned, and long-term recommendations;
•    At project closeout, provide a “handoff package” to city staff, including all recruitment materials, databases, and guidance for sustaining recruitment efforts beyond the contract period.

- Contract Period/Term: 3 years
- Pre-Proposal Meeting (Non-Mandatory) Date: November 20, 2025
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: December 4, 2025