Why Palisades Village has become one of L.A’s fanciest shopping centers

Renowned for attracting L.A celebrities, the Palisades Village shopping center, part of the Caruso Group, located in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood of West Los Angeles, brings together 40 brands from the worlds of fashion, interior design and beauty, as well as restaurants and movie theaters. Among the brands represented, a wide selection of luxury brands such as Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and luxury eyewear specialist Jacques Marie Mage are joined by a number of premium brands including Anine Bing, Paige and French brand Officine Generale. Jackie Levy, Chief Financial and Revenue Officer at Caruso, explains the reasons of its success. 

FashionNetwork: Over the past few months, Palisades Village has welcomed increasingly luxurious brands. Are more and more luxury brands eager to join Palisades Village? 
 
Jackie Levy: Palisades Village, like all of Caruso’s properties, is designed to support the needs of its neighboring communities. Nestled on the Westside of Los Angeles near the mountains and beaches, Pacific Palisades offers a unique blend of privacy and exclusivity, making it an ideal location for high-profile guests. This environment also positions Palisades Village as a unique gathering place where locals and visitors alike can experience the most sought-after names in fashion and dining. We have seen a steady increase in luxury brands and fashion-forward brands expressing interest in opening boutiques at Palisades Village. In fact, there is currently two times more demand in leasing than we can satisfy, and we maintain a robust list of tenants eager to become part of our community.
 
FNW: The selection of brands also includes premium, lifestyle and athleticwear brands, many of them from California. Is it important to have such a selection?

J.L: Our collection of brands, many hailing from California, is a critical component of our strategy. This diversification is not only important but essential in creating a holistic and inclusive shopping experience that reflects the vibrant and diverse Californian lifestyle. Our location near the beach in Southern California also makes us an attractive destination, and by partnering with well-known California-founded brands like Jennifer Meyer, Alo, Anine Bing and more, we not only enhance our appeal but also celebrate the unique style and spirit of the area. It’s important to note that over 40% of our stores at Palisades Village are also women-owned and founded brands, including the newly opened Cult Gaia, A.L.C., MISA, Veronica Beard and Isabel Marant. Many are first-to-market stores as well like Jennifer Meyer, Bonjour Fête and the upcoming opening of Aerin.
 
FNW: What areas of Los Angeles do your customers come from?
 
J.L: Palisades Village has become the town center of Pacific Palisades, attracting not only the local community but residents from nearby neighborhoods like Santa Monica, Venice, Brentwood, Malibu, Bel Air and more. Our reach extends beyond the westside, drawing in guests from areas between Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach and everything in between. We welcome a substantial number of visitors, and more importantly, these visitors are highly productive customers and highly qualified buyers. This is a testament to the vibrant atmosphere and quality of our offerings. 

FNW: What makes Palisades Village different from other Caruso Group shopping centers?
 
J.L: Palisades Village, Caruso’s newest retail property, has quickly established itself as one of the top shopping destinations, in terms of sales per square foot, in the country. While all our properties are designed to serve as vibrant epicenters for their respective communities, Palisades Village stands out with its unique blend of Southern California charm and its bespoke, walkable village-like ambiance. What sets Palisades Village apart is its intimate, village-inspired feel, featuring a curated selection of uniquely charming boutiques offering coveted brands and an array of delicious restaurants. The property’s coastal location adds to its appeal as well, offering guests a scenic, serene environment that encourages leisurely strolls and immersive shopping experiences.
 
FWN: How does Palisades Village retail adapt to the younger generations of consumers and their particular buying habits?
 
J.L: We adapt to and engage with younger generations through tenants like Gen Z favorite Brandy Melville and the viral sensation Erewhon, as well as our digitally native brand tenants like Reformation, Alo Yoga, Favorite Daughter and Jennifer Meyer. This strategy aligns with the preferences of younger consumers who value unique, in-person shopping experiences. We recognize that younger generations engage with digital-first businesses more than previous generations because they spend more time on their phones. They also enjoy the social aspect of shopping and checking out the latest trending brands. By blending digital engagement with social, experiential retail, Palisades Village meets the evolving demands of younger generations, ensuring that we remain a vibrant and relevant space for all.
 
FNW: Faced with the growth of e-commerce, do you think retail is still a good investment?
 
J.L: Faced with the growth of e-commerce, retail remains an exceptional investment. Even traditional e-commerce brands have realized the necessity of having a brick-and-mortar presence in addition to their online channels. This is evident in our success at The Grove, where we’ve hosted direct-to-consumer pop-up brands like SKIMS, BÉIS, Westman Atelier and Augustinus Bader, to name a few. Our ability to seamlessly integrate physical and digital retail experiences makes us a sought-after partner for these brands. We also excel in experiential retail by offering consumers something they can’t find behind their screens: a sense of community. We create vibrant physical spaces where people can gather, explore and engage, fostering connections that go beyond transactions. In an increasingly digital world, the value of real-world experiences and human connections remains irreplaceable. 

FNW: How have malls and shopping centers changed since the 60s?
 
J.L: The desire for people to congregate and socialize in a safe place has not changed. However, the manner in which they do so has evolved significantly. Today, retailers face all kinds of competition, and the traditional shopping mall model has suffered as a result; a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As people emerge from the pandemic, they seek more engaging and multifaceted experiences. At Caruso, we strive for experiential retail that invites a broad range of consumers to stay longer, providing new opportunities to build consumer loyalty and create a supportive retail community. We deliver on this vision through our all-encompassing outdoor town centers. We offer the best in all areas of life and leisure through face-to-face interaction, experiential retail and our signature events, which have become cherished traditions for both locals and LA visitors. Our guests visit our properties three times more often, stay twice as long and spend twice as much as they do at our competitors.
 
FNW: Is entertainment another key to your success?
 
J.L: We pride ourselves on being more than just a retail destination – our entertainment and dining experiences are essential to the success Palisades Village. The Bay Theater, owned and operated by Netflix, combines the charm of a neighborhood movie theater with the sophistication of a luxury cinema, showcasing Netflix’s titles and hosting special events. We work with some of the best restaurants and operators in the world and our diverse dining options cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. These entertainment and dining offerings create a dynamic and engaging environment, making Palisades Village a vibrant community hub where our guests can enjoy an elevated and enriching experience.
 
FNW: How do you see Palisades Village in the future? 
 
J.L: Looking ahead, the future of Palisades Village is incredibly promising with recent additions like Saint Laurent, Toteme, Golden Goose, Cult Gaia and soon-to-open Aerin. These expansions signify a continuous commitment to growth and enhancement of our offerings. In addition to physical expansion, we are also dedicated to enriching the guest experience through innovations like Caruso Signature. Our unique loyalty program integrates dining, shopping, leisure, and residential experiences across all Caruso properties, creating a seamless and personalized journey for our guests. Overall, Palisades Village is poised to evolve into an even more dynamic and inclusive destination, where luxury, convenience and community converge to create unforgettable experiences for all who visit.