Commercial Property Executive asked CREOpoint to share some of the CREObuzz ™ highlights regarding the industry’s reaction to CoStar acquisition of LoopNet. Despite the clear fit between Research and Marketing, the sentiment was mixed. There was agreement that the combined company would be a “strong” (569 online mentions) “giant” “winner”. Although both CEOs Andrew Florance and Richard Doyle pushed upbeat messages about innovation, cost reduction and cross selling, most of the buzz ended up being about the “I own the market” culture of CoStar and likely price increases.

  I’ve been on a perpetual road trip for a number of months – well, maybe more than a few years. Living across the planet in these cities – from Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York, London, Amsterdam, Miami, Seoul – there are interesting parallels and starkly constrasting differences. I’ve been to new developments and energized retail stores,  seen global power brands and creative local gathering places. The global trends in the development of this supercity network are powerful and fascinating, and visible on the streets. I was exposed to the project 19.20.21 a few years ago at my first TED conference…

Earlier this summer, the IGDS (Intercontinental Group of Department Stores) held their annual high profile summit in New York.  This is the one conference that attracts the CEOs of the leading retail companies from all over the globe into one place, to converge, discuss and debate the state of the world in retail. There were over 300 delegates from 36 countries – including 54 CEOs from the retail store industry. Last year it was held in Moscow, and the year before in London – next year it will be Paris. I’ve had the good fortune of being invited to join this group…