CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Aug 26, 2015) -  JLL (NYSE: JLL) has invested in the growth of its Retail brokerage and property management service offerings, most recently with the acquisition of the Wilson Group in Los Angeles and Shelter Bay in San Francisco. Now it's building its retail research platform with the addition of James Cook as the Americas Director of Retail Research. In his new role, Cook will work closely with the firm's retail experts on data collection that will broaden its retail leasing and investment market analysis. 

"Our retail business has seen explosive growth in the last two years, and appointing a dedicated national retail researcher is a crucial investment that will drive our business forward," said Greg Maloney, Americas CEO of JLL Retail. "James will take our programming from data-driven analysis to invaluable forecasting and storytelling, offering clients proprietary research that truly elevates their decision making and investment abilities."

Cook most recently built and led the new analytics department for Xceligent as a National Director. Prior to that he served as the U.S. Director of Research at Colliers International where he oversaw the commercial property market's research products and services across all asset classes. He is the Chairperson for ICSC's annual Research Connections conference, and previously served on the NAIOP conference planning committee and ULI's Indianapolis Chapter. Cook holds an undergraduate degree from West Chester University in Pennsylvania.

"JLL will be at the forefront of retail research with James on board. Adding him to our roster reinforces our commitment to leading the retail industry through the creation of powerful thought-leadership and research for our occupier and investor clients," said Naveen Jaggi, President of Retail Brokerage, JLL. "James brings broad experience growing and managing a research team, and understands the need for scalable research solutions. His ability to analyze retail's macro fundamentals through a wide lens, but also hone-in on local city nuances will support our clients' needs for forward-thinking insights."

JLL's retail business serves as an industry leader in retail real estate services. The firm's more than 800 dedicated retail experts in the Americas partner with investors and occupiers around the globe to support and shape investment and site selection strategies. Its retail specialists provide independent and expert advice to clients, backed by industry-leading research that delivers maximum value throughout the entire lifecycle of an asset or lease. The firm has more than 130 retail brokerage experts spanning more than 30 major markets, representing more than 680 retail clients. As the largest third party retail property manager in the United States, JLL is currently handling the management, leasing and/or disposition of more than 710 centers, totaling 83 million square feet specializing in regional malls, lifestyle centers, grocery-anchored centers, power centers, central business districts, transportation facilities and mixed-use projects. For more news, videos and research from JLL's Retail Group, please visit: www.jllretail.com.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a professional services and investment management firm offering specialized real estate services to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying and investing in real estate. A Fortune 500 company with annual fee revenue of $4.7 billion and gross revenue of $5.4 billion, JLL has more than 230 corporate offices, operates in 80 countries and has a global workforce of approximately 58,000. On behalf of its clients, the firm provides management and real estate outsourcing services for a property portfolio of 3.4 billion square feet, or 316 million square meters, and completed $118 billion in sales, acquisitions and finance transactions in 2014. Its investment management business, LaSalle Investment Management, has $56.0 billion of real estate assets under management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit www.jll.com.