Centro Properties may have taken the phrase "shop 'til you drop" a bit too literally. Centro owns, develops, manages, and leases retail properties in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Through funds, it oversees a portfolio of approximately 400 properties leased to supermarkets, department stores, and other retailers. Centro entered the US in 2006 with its acquisition of Heritage Property Investment Trust; it followed that up with the $6.2 billion purchase of New Plan Excel Realty Trust in 2007. Unfortunately, the rapid growth meant big debt, just as the global credit squeeze took root.