Some Missouri residents may recall reports from the 1980s about wealthy Japanese buyers scooping up iconic American companies and landmarks like Columbia Pictures and Rockefeller Center. Fears that the Japanese spending spree marked the waning of American influence and the dawn of a new economic age proved to be unfounded, but now similar stories are being written about a similar surge in Chinese investment.
Banking industry focus has shifted to real estate
Banking has changed immensely since the 1950s, in Missouri and across the United States. The total number of banks has dropped from more than 13,200 in 1955 to approximately 5,300 in 2016. In 1955, the assets of the entire U.S. banking industry totaled only $209 billion. Six decades later, the reported assets of banks are in excess of $15 trillion. Banking assets accounted for 49 percent of gross domestic product in 1955; they now account for 83 percent.
A look ahead for the commercial real estate market
Commercial real estate investors in Missouri are watching the real estate market, waiting to see whether or not Brexit will have an effect and what it might be. Industry experts say there are several key factors at play.
Pokémon Go and its implications for the retail sector
By this point, most Kansas residents have probably either played Pokémon Go or have at least heard about the phenomenon. Since the game was released on July 6, its popularity has led to a lot of speculation about the game's implications for commercial real estate and retail business. Analysts are also talking about augmented reality technology in general and its potential ability to merge online shopping with in-store shopping.
