Masters of Moments Building Retail Platforms That Endure Across Cycles and Challenges - Brian Harper - 11North Partners
May 7, 2025
Brian Harper, co-founder of 11North Partners and former CEO of RPT Realty, shares his decades of experience in retail real estate. He discusses the principles of great retail, emphasizing hospitality and community. Brian reflects on the resurgence of physical retail, lessons from corporate turnarounds, and the distinct cultures of public versus founder-led companies. Personal experiences, including raising a son with autism, have profoundly shaped his leadership approach. This conversation reveals how resilience and values drive the creation of enduring retail platforms.
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Brian Harper's Career Journey
- Brian Harper fell into real estate from a love of hospitality and design after an early music industry internship.
- He transitioned through brokerage, leasing, development, then to major retail property firms including GGP and RPT.
Quality Separates Real Estate Winners
- The Great Financial Crisis separated real estate assets by quality, with the best improving and the weakest failing.
- Neglected malls die, but top-tier malls grow cash flows rapidly amidst competition losses.
Retailers Use Data for Location
- Retailers use detailed data on consumer behavior and online penetration to select prime store locations.
- Follow traders like Whole Foods and Starbucks who pick sites based on sophisticated local market analysis.