In any city, some stores always seem full, and others never quite take off. From the sidewalk—with their storefronts, advertising marquees, and displays—they may look similar, but they are not. Their success is rarely explained by what they sell alone. It depends on the location, the space's design, the flow of customers, and the conditions under which the lease was negotiated.

Understanding that system—where location, architecture, data, and negotiation converge—has become increasingly necessary in retail real estate, a market in which the difference between a flagship store and a space in a mall is often defined by how a brand positions itself within its surrounding demographic.

In that context, opening a store has become one of the most strategic decisions for any brand. That is the logic SiiLA ACADEMY aims to explore in its edition dedicated to retail real estate, which will run from May 7 to May 28.

ACADEMY is a training program specialized in real estate that brings together industry professionals to understand how commercial spaces are designed, operated, and negotiated today. The May edition will feature six online sessions and a closing in-person session and will bring together some of the industry's leading specialists to examine, from different perspectives, how shopping centers, stores, and decisions on location, design, and strategy determine performance in today's retail landscape.

The first session will be led by Ricardo Sánchez Pie, Retail Consulting Director at Colliers, who will analyze how innovation has transformed modern retail and why the shopping center experience has become a determining factor in a store's performance.

In a second session, Jimena Fernández, Director of Architecture and Interior Design at Ware Malcomb, will examine how store design can become a strategic sales tool, from layout to the space's sensory experience.

A third session will focus on commercial site selection. Luis Armando Cantú, CEO of Helios Data Center and former CEO of Seris Retail Holdings, will analyze the variables that determine a store’s potential—such as exposure, geometry, accessibility, visibility, and foot traffic—and how they influence customer attraction, business operations, and overall store performance.

The program will also address the interpretation of consumer data. Erick Macías, Head of Sales and Growth LATAM at Predik Data Driven, will analyze how demographic, socioeconomic, and consumption indicators influence customer behavior and the selection of commercial locations.

Another topic to be examined is the financial structure that supports the sector. Fina Moisés, Director General of AMEFIBRA, will offer a perspective on the role of REITs in the real estate market, how they operate, and the impact they have had on the sector's professionalization. The negotiation of commercial lease contracts—one of the most critical points for any operator—will be addressed by Lucio Arellano, from the International Development team at The Wendy's Company, who will review the variables that typically define the leasing conditions of a commercial space.

The program will conclude with Alejandro Delgado, Country Manager Mexico at SiiLA, who will provide an analysis of Mexico's retail market and its key indicators.

Registration for the program is now open. Signup can be completed through the following link.