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2022

The role of shopping center events has changed: So-called “community events” have become increasingly common. They often replace traditional event formats that have dominated the center event scene for many years. André Stromeyer, Managing Director at HBB, and Anita Stampfl, Special Projects Manager at HBB discuss why the situation is the way it is, where the advantages and challenges lie, and why this fact does not make center marketing any easier.

Mitiska REIM has announced the opening of a new retail center development in the Polish city of Kolobrzeg. Developed in joint venture with local partner Karuzela Holding and designed to achieve a “Very Good” score on the BREEAM in-use scale, this is the third retail development project opened by Mitiska REIM and Karuzela Holding in Poland this year.

Chainels, the tenant experience platform, has launched in two travel hubs across Europe, leveraging its retail expertise to expand into a new sector. Utrecht train station, run by NS Stations Retailbedrijf a subsidiary of the Dutch national rail company Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), and Vienna International Airport will both use Chainels’ digital platform to improve communication with retailers and service providers.

The McArthurGlen Group, has announced the planned opening of the first outlet destination for Eataly’s concept. Opening its doors at Serravalle Designer Outlet near Milan in Summer 2023, the store will enhance McArthurGlen’s growing portfolio of food and beverage brands, offering guests a place to Eat, Shop and Learn, all under one roof.

Meeting customer expectations for omnichannel experiences is key to the success of the mall of the future, argues Peter Tonstad in his PropTech column. His company, Placewise, is heavily investing in products in order to address the longer-term expectation that shopping centers will become true omnichannel offerings.

The city of Bamberg has approved the development plan for the LEZ 14 shopping center on the “Am Laubanger” site. Thus the green light has been given to the FIM Group to convert the former retail park into a modern shopping center. The tenant mix of around 7,100 sq m of retail space includes Lidl, Rossmann, TK Maxx, Media Markt and Der Beck. The opening is planned for the first quarter of 2023.

A small retailer in southern Germany has become one of Europe’s leading food retailers with major expansion plans: This week Kaufland opened in Bucharest its 1500th store – a great milestone in the Kaufland success story. Angelus Bernreuther, Head of Investor Relationship Management, looks back at Kaufland’s corporate history and explains how, starting with its solid roots, the future of the company is being shaped, especially during challenging times.

Why should customers visit stores in which they know exactly what to expect? In order to captivate their guests, stationary stores need a network of creative ideas, event plans, a talent for creating narratives, and a considerable amount of boldness. Therefore, some old dogmas have to be thrown overboard.

London’s scene has a new favorite neighborhood that has long been considered trendy: the multicultural quarter of Shoreditch in the Hackney district in the northwest of the center.

Sovereign Centros has announced a series of openings at Merry Hill, one of the top 10 retail and leisure destinations in the UK. Four brands have launched a total of 812 sq m of retail space, further diversifying the large array of shopping options available to Merry Hill visitors.

Despite all challenges, a lot is happening in the retail real estate industry and great projects are in the making. This is best illustrated by the entries for the MAPIC Awards 2022 category “Best performing Shopping Center”. They include assets such as shopping centers, outlets, and retail parks. They show innovation through new technologies, customer loyalty programs, retail mixes and architectural features which come together for the aim of increasing footfall, customer satisfaction, average spending and offering a unique experience in a new shopping destination. All these outstanding projects demonstrate the strength, innovation, and positivity of our industry.

Shaftesbury has announced the opening of four new flagship stores on Neal Street, Seven Dials. Minimalistic clothing brand, Absence of Colour, lifestyle brand, Rockett St George, independent watch retailer, Mr Jones Watches, and a creative activation run by community organisation, My Runway Group, have joined Seven Dials’ diverse array of brands, located in the heart of London’s West End.

Multi Corporation has refurbished and extended Forum Palermo. The project included an extension of the food court, a reclassification of store space, new anchor stores and an investment in energy savings. These proactive asset management initiatives have resulted in higher rental income and sales, whilst reducing energy consumption, and driving operational efficiency.