— Veteran A&G lease negotiator advises engaging creatively with landlords to drive higher performance. NEW YORK , April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Retail chains can gain an edge by thinking of their leases as strategic assets rather than mere liabilities, advised an executive from national advisory firm A&G Real Estate Partners . “That might sound like verbal jiujitsu, but the right approach can help you achieve real-world outcomes like reducing your occupancy costs or reinvesting in your stores,” advised A&G Senior Managing Director Tony Grant in an Expert Viewpoints piece for Chain Store Age Online. Grant has negotiated more than $500 million in lease savings on behalf of retail, restaurant and fitness operators in his 20-year career. In the March 13 column, he offers three tips for healthy and distressed chains seeking to ramp up real estate performance. Start the conversation—even if you’re healthy Grant advises even healthy operators to consider the benefits of real estate restructuring, noting that “the smartest retailers are always looking for ways to generate more value within the portfolio.” He uses the example of … Full story available on Benzinga.com
