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PROJECTS, TRENDS AND STRATEGIES

In the western part of Belgrade, Serbia, BIG CEE is developing a unique multiuse concept. The project, totaling 105,300 sq m, comprises a residential area that includes nearly 1000 apartments, an office building, and a retail area. With this project, BIG CEE works towards a positive development boost for the entire area.

LATEST TRENDS IN ASSET AND CENTER MANAGEMENT

Retail parks have established themselves as one of the most stable asset classes in the retail sector in recent years. Making clever adjustments to the tenant mix ensures both the security and long-term development of a retail property. That fact is clearly demonstrated by a number of assets in MEC’s portfolio, in particular, by the Dreieich Nordpark case study, as Christian Thiele, Head of Leasing Management at MEC, explains.

“Across all markets, we are seeing that retail has remained a resilient and thriving sector,” explains Cristina Santos, Executive Director Property Management at Sonae Sierra. More than almost any other European company, Sonae Sierra is strategically diversified across several regions and adapts to the specific requirements of each. The company has extensive experience with its own properties and has increasingly used that knowledge as a cornerstone of its approach to manage third-party properties.

Retail is polarizing towards the absolute top locations, among them metropolitan locations, and A-cities. There are many cases proving this but there are also exceptions – and not just any, but successful exceptions. The recent DeepTalk online-discussion took a closer look at one such exception and looked a little behind the letting and positioning strategies of the Europa-Galerie Saarbrücken in Germany, one of the outstanding best-practice examples.

DEVELOPMENTS AND TRENDS IN THE OUTLET INDUSTRY

VIA Outlets enters the final weeks of 2024 at the MAPIC trade show in Cannes with leasing demand remaining strong and a slate of major expansion and refurbishment projects gathering pace. The major extension of VIA Outlets’ Sevilla Fashion Outlet in southern Spain, which opened towards the end of last year, also qualified as a finalist in the ‘Best Refurbishment and Expansion Project’ category of the prestigious MAPIC Awards 2024, among a field of 154 applications.

With the FREY Group as a new financially strong property partner providing robust support, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping is setting the stage for further growth and enhanced premium outlet shopping destinations across Europe. Major expansions at four centers and two new developments are set to be completed within two years.

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STRATEGIES OF RETAILERS

Retail parks have established themselves as one of the most stable asset classes in the retail sector in recent years. Making clever adjustments to the tenant mix ensures both the security and long-term development of a retail property. That fact is clearly demonstrated by a number of assets in MEC’s portfolio, in particular, by the Dreieich Nordpark case study, as Christian Thiele, Head of Leasing Management at MEC, explains.

“Across all markets, we are seeing that retail has remained a resilient and thriving sector,” explains Cristina Santos, Executive Director Property Management at Sonae Sierra. More than almost any other European company, Sonae Sierra is strategically diversified across several regions and adapts to the specific requirements of each. The company has extensive experience with its own properties and has increasingly used that knowledge as a cornerstone of its approach to manage third-party properties.

LATEST TRENDS

Thanks to their diverse mix of tenants and sectors, today’s shopping centers are more than just places to go shopping: They’re experience destinations and community hubs that enjoy a great deal of popularity – as illustrated by ECE Marketplaces’ latest success figures. Entertainment concepts have increasingly become attractive complements to and additional drawing cards for the respective locations, as current ECE center portfolio examples show.

“It’s a fair question these days in lots of Western countries, Europe first and foremost. Running a restaurant in Europe requires a more nuanced approach than simply focusing on high revenue figures,” shares Will Odwarka, Founder and CEO of Dubai-based firm Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting in his latest “F&B Insights” column. “The notion that success is guaranteed by sheer volume is misleading, as the current challenges facing the industry demand a deeper understanding and strategic planning,” he explains. Opening a restaurant in Western Europe may seem daunting to some, but it is essential to address the underlying issues that have been exacerbated by the recent global pandemic.

Like no other German shopping center, “The Playce” at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin is a shopping and cultural destination that focuses on food and beverage, leisure, and retail stores that are new to Berlin or unique in their concepts. One and a half years after its opening, The Playce is now 96 percent leased. ACROSS discusses why now is the best time to be part of the project with Roger Goyk, Director of Retail Brookfield Properties, and Jonathan Doughty, Special Project Manager at ECE.

RETAIL TECHNOLOGY

In today’s challenging market, how can stakeholders truly maximize value? As consumer behaviors evolve and sustainability becomes a priority, innovative monetization strategies are essential, especially in redevelopment projects. The commercial real estate sector has historically adapted to economic changes, transforming into an ecosystem in which experience, technology, and community engagement are crucial.

Expo Real, Europe’s largest property and investment trade fair, concluded with a strong focus on digital transformation in the real estate sector. Among the key exhibitors, HyperIn stood out for its contributions to discussions on the evolving landscape of commercial real estate technology. The event served as an important platform for HyperIn to showcase their all-in-one platform, engaging industry leaders and sharing insights on how technology is shaping the future of property management.

Shopping centers—including multi-use, regional, luxury centers, and outlet malls—should always be looking for ways to increase traffic and maintain loyalty among existing shoppers, as well as attract new visitors. This article by Placewise CEO Susan Hagerty Bonsak delves into how experiential marketing can help centers evolve into vibrant community hubs. Let’s explore a hypothetical event, Sensory Spring Fest, which uses experiential marketing to create engaging activities, drive sales, and build strong community ties.

PLANS OF INVESTORS AND OWNERS

NEPI Rockcastle’s strong net operating income (NOI) growth of 13.5% in the first half of 2024 allowed the company to raise its forecast for full-year distributable earnings per share. Justyna Bartosz, the Group’s Head of Leasing, explains what makes the CEE’s retail and consumer world tick and why it is that NEPI Rockcastle and its tenants can’t pay enough attention to the buzzwords: experience, community building, and authenticity.

The acquisition of the leading shopping mall in Novi Sad for 177 million euros by BIG CEE marked Serbia´s largest retail transaction ever. Promenada, one of the strongest malls in the country, features many international brands, a 100% occupancy rate, and more than 10 million visitors annually.

After the collapse of a previous deal last year, the Swiss luxury goods group Richemont has found in Mytheresa a new buyer for its online fashion and accessories business Yoox-Net-a-Porter (YNAP).