Center for Retail Transformation

The Center for Retail Transformation and the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship at George Mason University School of Business have entered into a research collaboration with Fairfax County on the Relay project in Merrifield, Virginia. Relay is an autonomous (self-driving) electric public transportation shuttle that will circulate between the Mosaic District and the Dunn Loring Metrorail Station.

The pandemic has not killed brick and mortar stores despite the move of consumers to clicks and online buying. Only changes that provide greater convenience to consumers at reasonable cost to retailers will persist. Most disruptions have already been coming and the pace and convergence have simply been accelerated. But very big questions remain.

Black Friday, marking the beginning of Christmas shopping, was once the hallmark of post-Thanksgiving celebrations, but crazed Black Friday shopping is unlikely to return as a Thanksgiving tradition, according to a George Mason University professor.

A Center for Retail Transformation event was mentioned in a brief on Jokr, which is a company that delivers groceries within 15 minutes.

Shipping for this holiday season will be difficult for some smaller retailers. "Indeed this holiday season can be make and break for many of them due to rising pricing, labor shortages, and supply chain problems,” says Gautham Vadakkepatt, director of the Center for Retail Transformation, in an interview with Retail Dive

Gautham Vadakkepatt, director of the Center for Retail Transformation, was interviewed by Inc. on reducing what company's offer to consumers.

Gautham Vadakkepatt, director of the Center for Retail Transformation, was interviewed by Fox 5 D.C. on Washington, D.C.’s new mask requirement.

Gautham Vadakkepatt, director of the Center for Retail Transformation, was interviewed by Bisnow on the renovations occurring at Tysons Galleria.

Gautham Vadakkepatt, director of the Center for Retail Transformation within the School of Business at George Mason University, was interviewed by Retail Dive on the differences between Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods.