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Cost Consulting

Retail Construction · Project Management · Cost Consulting

Retail Construction Management for Brands That Can't Afford Delayed Store Openings.

EAS helps retail brands plan construction costs before a real estate commitment and manage those costs through delivery. We connect corporate priorities with project execution to keep scope, schedule, and financial decisions clear.

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Brands EAS has built for

  • Sephora — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • The Gap — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • Pottery Barn — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • Max Studio — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • Williams-Sonoma — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • Allbirds — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • On Running — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • The Shade Store — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • Ethos Veterinary Health — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • Lucid Motors — construction project managed by EAS Consulting Partners
  • 30+Years Retail Construction Experience
  • 200+Locations Delivered Nationwide
  • $300M+Annual Capital Investment Budgeted
  • 21%New-Store Cost Reduction via Value Engineering
  • Within 2%Forecast Accuracy vs. Approved Budgets

Why EAS

Boardroom Fluency. Jobsite Execution. Zero Surprises.

Every day a retail store opening is delayed, you lose revenue. Most retail construction consultants understand corporate expectations or jobsite realities — rarely both. Elias Abu Shanab brings 30+ years of enterprise experience managing $300M+ in annual capital budgets, vetting contractors, enforcing brand standards, and eliminating costly jobsite friction before it impacts your opening date.

Services

Retail Construction Services and Project Oversight

EAS manages the full construction lifecycle for retail brands — sitting between corporate and the field so nothing falls through the cracks and nothing exceeds the budget.

Cost Consulting

Pre-Commitment Budgets & Capital Approval

EAS develops construction budgets before a company commits to a new location or store project. We evaluate the proposed space, landlord delivery, store format, market conditions, and project scope to give real estate and finance leaders a clear cost forecast for capital committee review.

  • Site & landlord delivery evaluation
  • Store format & market cost modeling
  • Capital committee budget packages
  • Cost variance by store type & format

Budgets developed across multiple retail brands representing $300M+ in annual capital investment.

Construction Cost Control

After bids are received, EAS reviews pricing, tracks commitments and change orders, and updates the forecast against the approved budget. We identify cost pressures early and present options for the client's decision. Contingency is tracked separately and used only with client authorization.

  • Bid review & leveling
  • Commitment & change-order tracking
  • Forecast updates vs. approved budget
  • Contingency management

Construction Management

New Store Buildouts

Retail new store buildouts with turnkey management from ground-up or shell to finished store. Every trade, permit, and deadline owned by EAS from day one.

  • Site assessment & feasibility
  • Permit acquisition management
  • Contractor bidding & selection
  • Full on-site supervision

Store Renovations & Refreshes

National store renovation and phased refresh programs executed against corporate brand standards with zero disruption to store revenue.

  • Phased construction planning
  • Trade scheduling & sequencing
  • Brand standards compliance
  • Operational continuity strategy
Core Offering

Contractor Oversight & Coordination

Retail general contractor oversight — single-point accountability between corporate leadership and field trades. Contractor vetting, bidding, and daily enforcement.

  • Vendor qualification & vetting
  • Contract negotiation support
  • Daily reporting & escalation
  • Warranty & closeout management

Our Process

The Zero-Friction Retail Rollout Framework

How EAS runs every project, from first budget to store opening.

  1. Step 01

    Assess

    Site conditions, permits, scope and budget are validated before a single trade is hired — so every program starts on facts, not assumptions.

    21% new-store template cost reduction through value engineering

  2. Step 02

    Manage

    EAS coordinates contractors and project stakeholders, monitors progress and costs, and brings decisions to the client before they affect the approved budget or schedule.

    $300M+ in annual capital budgets forecast within 2%

  3. Step 03

    Deliver

    Stores open on spec, on schedule and on budget — with punch list, warranties and closeout handled before handoff.

    57 stores opened on schedule in a single five-year program

Elias Abu Shanab, President of EAS Consulting Partners
Elias Abu Shanab President, EAS Consulting Partners

About

The Expert Corporate Brands Trust

With over three decades in retail construction management, Elias Abu Shanab has built a reputation that speaks for itself. He has guided some of America's most recognized brands through complex, high-stakes construction programs — delivering on scope, on schedule, and to exacting corporate standards.

Where most consultants manage projects, Elias manages outcomes. He understands the language of the boardroom and the reality of the jobsite — and operates with complete fluency in both. That rare duality is why brands return to EAS when the project matters most.

EAS Consulting Partners was founded on a simple principle: enterprise clients deserve enterprise-grade oversight without the overhead of a large firm. Elias brings the depth of a major construction management practice to every engagement — with the responsiveness and accountability that only an owner-led firm can deliver.

  • Fortune 500 Client Portfolio
  • Multi-Market Program Experience
  • Owner-Led Accountability

Track Record

  • 57 + 8New stores opened and existing stores remodeled at Max Studio
  • $160MAnnual capital budget managed at Gap Global Brand
  • 21%Cut in Gap new-store template costs through value engineering
  • 18%Construction and fixture cost reduction in Max Studio's 2002 roll-out
Career History
  1. 2014–present

    EAS Consulting Partners — Founder & President

    Program and construction project management for national retailers. Los Angeles.

  2. 2014–2015

    Drybar — Director of Retail Development

    Real estate, store design, construction and maintenance of shops nationwide; built a franchise roll-out model.

  3. 2007–2014

    Gap Inc. — Sr. Project Manager, Gap Brand Real Estate

    Managed the team responsible for Gap Global Brand's $160M capital budget; led a value-engineering initiative that cut new-store template costs 21%.

  4. 2004–2006

    Williams-Sonoma Inc. — Senior Project Manager, Store Development

    New store construction and remodels for Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and Outlet — nationwide.

  5. 1993–2003

    Max Studio — Director

    Opened 57 stores and remodeled all 8 existing over 5 years on a $19M budget; cut construction and fixture cost 18% in the 2002 roll-out.

  6. 1988–1991

    California State University, Long Beach

    Industrial & Environmental Design.

Core Capabilities

  • Construction Management
  • Project & Program Management
  • Budgeting & Cost Control
  • Value Engineering
  • Procurement
  • Contract Management & Negotiation
  • Permitting
  • Scheduling
  • Store Design
  • Submittals
  • Vendor Relations
  • Cross-functional Team Leadership
  • MS Project

In the community: since 2016, Elias has served as Project Manager for a makers space at Girls Academic Leadership Academy (LAUSD) through FOGALA.

Clients

A Portfolio Built on Trusted Relationships

EAS has earned long-term partnerships with brands that demand the best — managing construction programs at scale across dozens of locations and multiple markets.

Sephora

Active Engagement

Ongoing strategic engagement managing new store buildouts and location refresh programs across North America. EAS serves as the primary interface between Sephora's corporate facilities team and all on-site contractors — maintaining brand standards across every market.

  • New Buildouts
  • Store Refreshes
  • Contractor Management
  • Multi-Market

The Gap

Store renovation and refresh programs across multiple markets, coordinating general contractors and specialty trades to Gap's precise brand standards.

  • Renovation
  • Brand Standards

Pottery Barn

New location buildouts and store transformations, managing complex millwork and fixture installations to Williams-Sonoma's exacting specifications.

  • New Buildouts
  • Millwork Coordination

Max Studio

Retail construction management for new market entries and flagship builds, delivering on timeline and budget in high-traffic retail environments.

  • Flagship Locations
  • Market Entry

On the Jobsite

  • Commercial retail shell space before construction
  • Retail space stripped to structure during demolition and pre-construction prep
  • Retail store construction management — active buildout with trade oversight

Testimonials

What Clients Say

Full recommendations on LinkedIn

Elias is a tremendous talent. He is not only a technical expert in construction estimating and project management, he is also extremely effective in leading and partnering with cross-functional teams to resolve business issues. He drives for operational efficiencies and cost containment, and partners very well with creative talent to do the same. Elias is a top-tier talent.

Adrienne GernandFormer President, Gap Inc. International

Contact

Schedule Your Scope & Budget Review

Whether you have an active project underway or a program launching next quarter, EAS is ready to step in. Elias responds personally to every inquiry.

Speak directly with Elias Abu Shanab, President & Founder. Every inquiry receives a personal response within one business day. Strictly confidential.