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December 2016

The shopping center industry has a problem: the security of its customers. No, it’s not that centers have a security issue. Nevertheless, in these times of terror and armed attacks, it is difficult to balance an easygoing and unhindered shopping experience with the best-possible security for our customers.

Over the past 18 months, the Hungarian property market has seen one of the most successful and dynamic expansions of any country in CEE, with Budapest identified as having the highest rate of return in the entire region.

Great achievements and great challenges await cinemas in the coming year: After a highly fluctuating year for cinemas in 2016, cinema operators and entertainment venues can expect big blockbuster sequels and thus high footfall in 2017.

The ACROSS Advisory Board has gained two new members: Jonathan Doughty, EMEA Head of Foodservice Consulting at JLL, and Christof Papousek, CFO of the Constantin Film group of companies.

Belgrade Plaza is an €80-million investment and will consist of 61,000-sq-m of GBA, providing approximately 32,300 sq m of retail space across three levels.

The European shopping center industry can look back on an exciting year 2016.

The Austrian market leader has invested €3 million in the construction of the new 5-screen multiplex cinema in the Stop.Shop shopping center in Niš. It also recently celebrated a new opening in Pristina.

According to Stephan Austrup, Head of Retail in Germany at TH Real Estate, omni-channeling and digitalization are key drivers of change. In all acquisitions and in business plans for existing portfolios, he therefore considers the impact of this change on retail formats, retailers’ required floor plans, and whether the property provides the necessary layout flexibility.