Rafi Chambasian
Title: Managing Director Of Tampa Office

Contact:
Phone: 8505663774

Rafi Chambasian is a Florida native from Tallahassee. After graduating from Nova Southeastern University in 2022 with a business degree and four years of collegiate swimming, he returned to Tallahassee to practice commercial real estate with Coldwell Banker Commercial Hartung and Sunshine Real Estate Investments. Rafi specializes in the retail asset class with tenant, buyer, and landlord representation. With knowledge of the Florida and other Southeastern markets he is able to help any local or national client with their leasing, acquisitions, and dispositions. Now relocated to Tampa, Florida, he will be helping clients with all their commercial real estate needs. 

Recent News

Aldi to open 180-plus stores in 2026, launch new e-commerce site

Discount grocer Aldi plans to open more than 180 new stores across 31 states in 2026, celebrating its 50th anniversary in the U.S. and pushing toward its goal of 3,200 stores by 2028. The expansion includes entering Maine as its 40th state with a Portland location, launching a five-year Colorado expansion plan with 50 stores in Denver and Colorado Springs, and converting close to 80 Southeastern Grocers locations to the Aldi format. Aldi will launch a redesigned website early in 2026 featuring tailored product recommendations for easy reordering, expanded nutritional information, shoppable recipes, and meal planning tools to support both curbside pickup and home delivery. The company plans to open three new distribution centers over the next three years in Baldwin, Florida; Goodyear, Arizona; and Aurora, Colorado, as part of its $9 billion investment through 2028. 

Claire's plans tech upgrades despite financial setbacks

Mall jewelry and accessories retailer Claire's is planning technology upgrades for 2026, including more seamless data and application integrations and implementation of a modern point-of-sale platform to enhance customer in-store experiences. In 2025, the company focused on transformation and modernization, achieving technology-related cost reductions including a 48% year-over-year reduction in Microsoft Azure cloud spending through automation and improved governance, while also optimizing Microsoft 365 licensing and accelerating store technology refreshes. Looking ahead to 2026, Claire's plans to upgrade legacy systems, deliver faster data integrations, and implement modern POS platforms, with technology positioned as a growth engine rather than just an enabler. The technology transformation comes as the company works to reduce costs and regain its market footing following financial challenges.

Saks Global does not rule out bankruptcy

Saks Global is not ruling out Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a last resort while exploring all potential paths to secure financial stability. The luxury retail conglomerate, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, faces a more than $100 million debt payment due at the end of December and has been weighing emergency financing options or asset sales. The company missed an interest payment of over $100 million and is in talks with creditors to secure financing for the bankruptcy process, while it has been struggling with rising inflation and weakening consumer demand for luxury items. The financial troubles come after Saks raised billions of dollars last year to finance its acquisition of Neiman Marcus, which was intended to create a technology-powered luxury retail company backed by investors including Amazon, but the deal placed the company deeper in debt.