LFRA heads to the USA: a landmark Study Tour in 2025
The Large Format Retail Association (LFRA) is proud to lead a major delegation of Australian retailers, developers, and suppliers to the United States for the 2025 LFRA Study Tour, visiting Dallas and Miami this May.
This year’s tour represents a milestone moment, showcasing Large Format Retail Association’s ability to bring together a significant contingent of sector leaders to learn, share, and explore global best practice in Large Format Retail (LFR). The scale of the tour reflects the strength and unity of Australia’s LFR sector, and its shared ambition to build better retail environments for the future.
There will be 34 delegates attending the Tour. This is the 11th Tour led by Phil Schoutrop, Director, Sector Leader–Precincts, Buchan. It is also worth noting that the last time an LFRA contingent visited Dallas was in 2014, with 10 delegates returning for a second time in 2025.
The program offers a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the evolution of LFR into mixed-use, lifestyle-driven precincts. Highlights will include visits to Dallas’ Knox Street – an upmarket, walkable homewares and design precinct – and the impressive Grandscape development, one of the largest mixed-use retail, entertainment, and leisure projects in the US. The delegation will also tour major centres like West Village Dallas, Highland Park Village, and Legacy West, and gain insights through a tailored market briefing at CBRE’s Dallas headquarters.
A special thanks to Platinum Associate member CBRE, with the assistance of Ryan Arrowsmith, VP Retail, Dallas, who recently moved from the role of LFR Director in Melbourne, Australia, to take up this new role. Ryan, along with the retail and hospitality teams in Dallas and Miami, have arranged presentations with their Global COO, Research, Henry Chin PHD, and tours of existing and future developments in the key retail centres in both cities.
In Miami, participants will explore how urban design and LFR innovation intersect at destinations like Brickell City Centre and the Miami Design District. A special briefing with FTI Consulting will delve into emerging trends including omnichannel retailing, AI integration, and sustainability in retail development.
The tour also includes an insider look at major US retail operations, with special thanks to Planet Fitness for opening its doors to share franchise and real estate strategies. Tours of iconic retailers such as Bass Pro Shops, Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Publix Super Markets will round out a dynamic itinerary.
The Large Format Retail Association warmly thanks its key partners, including CBRE, FTI Consulting, Planet Fitness, and the Australian Consulate-General in Houston, and Buchan whose support has helped make this ambitious study tour possible.
Bringing together such a large and diverse group of senior executives to collaborate overseas is an incredible achievement, and a testament to the Large Format Retail Association’s leadership in strengthening and future-proofing Australia’s LFR sector.
The future of retail is global and we are ensuring Australia remains ahead of the curve.
