Information Vacuum Promotes CRE "Dance"

Don't Hold Your Breath... Sorry. PikeNet readers have confirmed that corporate real estate directors are largely AWOL on the web. The response to last week's Dispatch, Two Clicks to Corporate Real Estate Info (Aug 11), was simply underwhelming.

As one CRE friend wrote facetiously(!), exposing corporate real estate information on the web would spoil the "dance" and eliminate the "thrill of the hunt."

"No longer would service providers be enabled to waste boundless time and energy trying to get the inside scoop, meet the right people, understand the organization, collect contact information and position themselves as the 'relationship owner' across a host of individuals." Imagine that.

But Josh Hill at Accruent points out that the retail, QSR (Quick Serve Restaurant) and casual dining sectors do treat the web more seriously and frequently list real estate executives "because real estate in a consumer / 'grow revenue' business model is considered a strategic asset."

Hill suggests a few examples of web sites listing corporate real estate executives and development officers, including Aaron Rents, AutoNation, Family Dollar and YUM Brands.

Likewise, Jeff Forman with National Stores in Gardena , CA , agrees and highlights another retailer. "Movie Gallery is an example of a user friendly website that will point you in the right direction." And Tom Byrne at LoopNet notes that Kroger puts real estate on their home page.

-- Peter Pike