September 2020

The opening of the largest inner city regeneration project in Rotterdam in recent years, FORUM Rotterdam, took place on 24 September 2020, with a small gathering and in full compliance with the current COVID-19 guidelines. The opening event of this mixed-use project took place in the theatre of Donner bookshop, in the presence of Alderman Bas Kurvers of the Municipality of Rotterdam, developer Multi Netherlands, and the investors Deka Immobilien GmbH, Primark Netherlands B.V., Syntrus Achmea Real Estate & Finance and a.s.r. real estate.

Despite the economic difficulties dictated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, BALFIN Group has not withdrawn from investing in expanding and improving its retail network. JUMBO and SPAR have opened two new stores in the tourist cities of Vlora and Pogradec, being closer to consumers and helping employment in these cities.

Ingka Group has given support and signed up to a new guide raising the bar on climate leadership, ’Climate Leadership Now: The new bar for business action on climate change’, published by the We Mean Business coalition*.

Icon Outlet has revealed its performance figures for the 12-week period post-lockdown, with sales increasing by 30% between the first week and the 12th. Sales have trended from approximately 65% of previous year like-for-like at reopening to around 95% like for like in weeks 11-12. Icon Outlet’s weekly footfall has also doubled since reopening and now stands at 75% of prior year footfall. The latter compares to an average footfall of 59% of pre-Covid levels for the average London High Street according to Springboard*.

Quintain has secured an “extraordinary and unforgettable” taste experience, set to open in a prime location in Wembley Park, London’s newest cultural neighbourhood. Haute Dolci, the luxury dessert operator, has signed to open in a 3,350 sq ft restaurant including a mezzanine, its first location in London.

The festive lighting and decoration solution provider a new range of photo points for the season.

The countdown to the opening of La Torre Outlet Zaragoza has already begun. The “Digital Lighting”, a symbolic act that served as a presentation of the most innovative elements of this commercial project, showed the technological scope of its facilities and virtual environment through an audiovisual opera of audio, video, lighting and social media.

As a result of the course taken by the pandemic, Messe Frankfurt will not be holding any of its own physical trade fairs at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds between January and March 2021. The company is revamping its spring trade fair calendar to focus on new synergies and new digital offerings.

As part of the ambition to advocate for urgent and ambitious climate action and policies, Ingka Group will actively and virtually take part in the UN Climate Action Summit and other high-level events like Climate Week, WEF Sustainable Development Impact Summit from September 21-27, 2020.

World-renowned British toy emporium, Hamleys, has selected Liverpool ONE to launch its latest in-store retail concept at 101 Paradise Street, marking the iconic retailer’s debut in the city.

Dalton Park Outlet Shopping destination in County Durham has built upon its remarkable return to buoyant trading with four new deals this September.

Coniq’s Total Customer Engagement Platform will enable London Designer Outlet to develop and run a world-class data-driven loyalty program.

Hammerson, on behalf of the Dundrum Partnership, has announced that contemporary fashion retailer Folkster is returning to Dundrum Town Centre.

Chapman Taylor, working with Resolute Asset Management and Why Media have been appointed to comprehensively remodel the La Marina Shopping Centre in Finestrat, Alicante for its 20th anniversary year.

GTC Supervisory Board has appointed Mr. Yovav Carmi to the position of the President of the Management Board of GTC.

IKEA believes that home is the most important place in the world. So, in a year like no other, the seventh IKEA Life at Home Report explores how the meaning of this important place has shifted.

NEPI Rockcastle’s portfolio is now 100% operational, as all trading restrictions in the countries where the Group operates have ended.