ORLANDO, Fla. --- John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company in Orlando, moderated a panel discussion at the (IDA) International Downtown Association’s 2012 Spring Conference recently.
The panel session — Finding Your Retail Identity— included speakers Carol Hunter, director of communications for the downtown Mobile Alliance; Craig Ustler, president of Ustler Development, Inc. and Stefano Grande, executive director of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.
The panelists discussed their retail success stories, what their greatest challenges were and how they made it work.
According to the IDA program, the merchandize mix of a downtown is often a reflection of the community’s identity or perceived identity. For some communities, a selection of name brand retailers is a statement of a well-established retail market. Others embrace local businesses as their preferred shopping destination. Retail elicits an emotional bond with individual consumers and their community.
“A retailer has to match the community — he is who he is — not what he wants to be,” Crossman said.
About Crossman & Company
Headquartered in Orlando, Fla. with offices in Atlanta, Ga., Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeast US. Founded in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and serves clients including Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.
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