JLL forms Retail Solutions Group to deliver integrated services for multi-unit retailers

CHICAGO, June 11, 2026 - JLL announced today the formation of the Retail Solutions Group, a newly integrated team within JLL's Project and Development Services (PDS) business that brings together design, architecture and multi-site project management capabilities to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end services to retail clients throughout the entire brand lifecycle. Additionally, JLL tapped industry leader Mark Bateman as Executive Managing Director to direct this strategic initiative and hired Kevin Songer as a Managing Director of Architecture for the new group.

Retail Solutions Group (RSG) will serve as a comprehensive partner for retail brands at every stage of their evolution, from concept development and strategic planning through project delivery. This integrated model enables retail clients to access best-in-class expertise across all disciplines while maintaining consistency in brand expression and operational efficiency at scale.

"Our clients told us clearly what they needed, which is a partner who could seamlessly guide them from innovation through execution, keeping their physical brand expression relevant and their customer journey compelling," said Louis Molinini, Americas PDS Variable Lead for JLL. "The Retail Solutions Group represents our commitment to meeting that need with a truly integrated approach that leverages the full depth of JLL's capabilities."

Bateman, who is based in Columbus, Ohio, has more than 30 years of experience in business development and strategic direction, with a history of successfully partnering with leading brands in convenience, grocery, restaurant, specialty retail and e-commerce. He has built and led high-performing teams, strengthened cross-functional collaboration and aligned integrated service delivery models to meet the evolving needs of retailers.

Before joining JLL, he served at WD Partners, where he provided counsel on strategic direction and market opportunities, helping clients align their service offerings to key business goals. He is based in Columbus, Ohio, and reports to Molinini.

"Mark's strategic vision, extensive relationships, retail services experience and proven track record as a trusted advisor to some of the world's largest and most recognizable retail brands position him to drive RSG's mission of delivering scalable, innovative solutions that keep clients competitive in an ever-changing market" Molinini added.

Songer joins JLL's RSG from Gensler, where he spent over 21 years in progressively senior roles, most recently serving as Principal and Co-Managing Director of the firm's Atlanta office where he is based. During his tenure at Gensler, he led high-performing teams working with prominent international retailers and established himself as a trusted advisor to some of the world's most recognized brands.

Songer's approach combines operational excellence with strategic client relationship management. His experience encompasses leading office operations, driving business development initiatives and ensuring project delivery aligns with client vision and objectives, which are capabilities that align seamlessly with the RSG's integrated service model. Songer earned dual degree in architecture and interior architecture from Auburn University. He is a registered architect in Georgia and Alabama, a LEED Accredited Professional and a member of NCARB and the American Institute of Architects.

"Kevin's success in leading complex retail projects for global clients, combined with his strategic leadership capabilities, makes him an exceptional addition to our Retail Solutions Group," Bateman said. "His expertise managing large-scale retail programs will be instrumental as we continue to provide our clients with seamless, end-to-end solutions that integrate strategy, design, architecture and execution."

RSG is already working with multi-unit retail clients to transform their physical presence and enhance customer experiences across their portfolios. The group comprises the following areas and team leads:

• Retail Design, Branding and Digital teams led by Josh Broehl
• Retail Architecture teams led by Russell Baumann, Keith Heinemann and Amy Sjursen
• Multi-Site Project Management teams led by Ken Demske

"The retail landscape continues to evolve at an accelerated pace, demanding that brands constantly reimagine how they connect with consumers," Batemen said. "The formation of Retail Solutions Group is an essential evolution of JLL's retail business strategy and positions us to better enable clients to execute their visions with greater agility and impact, streamlining how brands bring experiences to market. I'm looking forward to delivering unrivalled consistency, speed and impact to JLL clients seeking to plan, design, build and scale their physical environments."

JLL Project and Development Services is a leader in the advisory, design, management and delivery of commercial real estate projects for the world's most prominent corporations, educational institutions, public jurisdictions, healthcare organizations, industrial facilities, retailers, hotels, sports facilities and real estate owners. JLL's project management team comprises 9,300 project managers across 80 countries with $87.4 billion in projects managed annually. JLL's design teams consist of 600+ designers across 65 studios in over 30 countries, to service clients with end-to-end design solutions. Visit jll.com/en-us/services/strategy-design to learn more.

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit JLL's newsroom.