When ACROSS was launched in 2008, the financial crisis was at its height. Bringing a new magazine into the market seemed to be against all odds. Reinhard Winiwarter, however, could not be stopped. He took the chance and founded what, over time, evolved into a multichannel platform bringing together Europe’s retail real estate community.
In a conversation with Jonathan Doughty, Winiwarter shares how ACROSS has become what it is today.
At the heart of this idea lies a clear understanding: Europe is not one market, but many. From mature Western economies to fast-growing regions in Central and Eastern Europe, ACROSS translates this diversity into insights that are relevant across borders.
Over time, the platform has expanded beyond print to reflect the changing nature of the industry — where retail real estate now includes placemaking, mixed-use concepts, and experience-driven destinations. At the same time, Winiwarter emphasizes that the industry remains, above all, a people business.
Looking ahead, education will play a bigger role. With the new ACROSS Academy, the platform aims to offer workshops, study tours, and knowledge exchange formats that respond to growing complexity.
“The whole industry has become so complex… education becomes more and more important,” says Winiwarter, adding that ACROSS will continue to evolve alongside the industry with an unchanging core mission: connecting people, sharing knowledge, and strengthening the community.
Watch the full conversation with Reinhard Winiwarter below.
