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Credit: MIOMIR MILIĆ

MERCATOR CENTER BELGRADE: STEADY GROWTH, LOCAL  RELEVANCE, AND A PROVEN URBAN LIFESTYLE MODEL

In a market flooded with mega malls and flashy upgrades, Mercator Center Belgrade is quietly setting a new standard. With a focus on community relevance, practical offerings, and steady modernization, this urban retail hub proves that consistency, not spectacle, drives real success. Jovan Ćirić, Retail Leasing Director at MPC Properties, explains why this neighborhood favorite may be Belgrade’s most future-ready shopping center.

credit: SES

“RETAIL’S CORE FUNCTION IS CURATION”

The demands placed on brick-and-mortar retailers have intensified significantly: Experiences, clear positioning, and top-quality levels are no longer optional, but mandatory. “Only those who provide a sense of clarity stand a chance of survival.” Christoph Andexlinger, CEO of SES Spar European Shopping Centers, speaks with ACROSS about the realignment of traditional shopping centers, the power of regional retailers, and why mid-range segment retailers will only have a future, if they are uncomprisingly clearly positioned.

credit: Kaufland

SUSTAINABLE BY DESIGN: HOW KAUFLAND IS FUTUREPROOFING ITS STORES WITH EDGE CERTIFICATION

EDGE certification is a key part of Kaufland’s bold plan to slash CO₂ emissions across its vast real estate portfolio. From triple glazing to heat recovery systems, Dominik Uhe, Head of Investor Relationship Management at Kaufland International describes how a data-driven approach is transforming Kaufland’s properties into models of green retail – and why Kaufland believes sustainability starts with the building itself.

Credit: European Real Estate Brand Institute

HBB Wins European Real Estate Brand Award for Third Consecutive Year

Hamburg-based real estate developer HBB has once again been recognized as Germany’s top retail developer, receiving the prestigious European Real Estate Brand Award for the third year in a row. The accolade highlights HBB’s strength in innovation, sustainability, and brand resilience in a rapidly evolving market.

SOLAL AWARDS 2025 WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT AN INNOVATIVE GALA EVENT IN WARSAW

The winners of the 2025 Solal Marketing Awards were announced at an outstanding gala event at fashionable leisure venue Fabryka Norblina in Warsaw. The live event was the first celebration of the most effective and innovative marketing campaigns in the shopping center industry since the pandemic. A record-number of entries in eleven distinct categories were received, with finalists joining the event from countries right across Europe, Canada and South Africa.

credit: ROS Retail Outlet Shopping

Construction Begins on Malmö Designer Village

FREY officially broke ground on Malmö Designer Village, a flagship retail destination set to become Scandinavia’s largest premium outlet shopping village upon its opening in 2027. The ceremonial groundbreaking event in Löddeköpinge, Kävlinge Municipality, brought together leaders from FREY, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping (part of the FREY Group), development and construction partners, and representatives of the local community.

credit: Nepi

NEPI ROCKCASTLE SHOWCASES SHINING POTENTIAL OF ROARING BULGARIAN RETAIL MARKET AT RETAILERS DAY IN SOFIA

Bulgaria’s high-performing retail market was highlighted at NEPI Rockcastle’s third Retailers Day held recently in Sofia. More than 150 representatives from leading international retailers and industry partners gathered for a full day of insightful presentations on the Group’s new greenfield shopping centre project to be developed in the city of Plovdiv, international retail trends and global macroeconomic perspectives.

credit: Redevco

THE EVOLVING RETAIL LANDSCAPE: NAVIGATING POLARIZATION THROUGH WELLBEING, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COMMUNITY

The retail landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, influenced by the increasing demand for health, well-being, and sustainability from both tenants and the wider community, alongside the growing polarization of the market. The most successful retail transformations are those that adapt to these dual forces by prioritizing the creation of healthy and sustainable environments, catering to a range of tenant and community needs. This necessitates a thorough understanding of their intricate interplay and a proactive approach to development and asset management.

NO ROOM FOR MEDIOCRITY: HOW RETAIL POLARIZATION IS RESHAPING THE SHOPPING LANDSCAPE

A quiet but profound shift is transforming the retail industry across Europe: while luxury and discount segments thrive, many mid-tier retailers—once considered the backbone of the high street and shopping centers—are struggling to stay afloat. This growing polarization is not merely a passing trend; it is a structural shift that reflects changing consumer behaviors, economic realities, and the need for clear market positioning. But if you take a closer look, you will see that it is not the middle that is dying, but only mediocrity. What is emerging is a new middle ground between luxury and discount, determined by one thing alone: relevance.

credit: Portland Design

Paddy Gamble Joins Portland as Head of Data & Analytics.

Portland Design announced that Paddy Gamble has joined the team as Head of Data & Analytics, a key new role that marks a significant step forward in the firm’s ambition to deepen its data-driven placemaking capabilities.

credit: IPH/BBE

THE “MID-RANGE SEGMENT” AS SUCH IS NOT DYING – BUT “MEDIOCRITY” IS

Consumer behavior is changing: Price awareness meets experience, and higher quality is in demand. Between premium concepts that offer high levels of experience and the successful formats found in the discount sector, there is less and less room for what has long been known as the “mid-range segment”. ACROSS spoke to Lars Jähnichen, Managing Director of the IPH Gruppe, and Dr. Johannes Berentzen, Managing Director of BBE Handelsberatung, about the causes, effects, and opportunities associated with this development – with a focus on consumer behavior, space requirements, and the impact on locations and the real estate industry.

credit: Takko Fashion

TAKKO FASHION: “WE DELIVER RELIABILITY FOR CUSTOMERS AND LANDLORDS”

The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, has shown retail real estate operators who is a reliable rental partner, says Oleg Krüger, Senior Director of Expansion at Takko Fashion. The discount fashion retailer is growing against the market trend and is pursuing ambitious growth targets. In an interview with ACROSS, Krüger explains the new role of discounters in European retail and how Takko is positioning itself strategically in a polarized retail landscape.

credit: Scallier

Scallier Expands Its Organizational Structures in Poland

Scallier, a Poznan-based company operating in the commercial real estate sector in Poland and Romania, is expanding its management structures as part of its operations in the country. Since mid-April 2025, Rafał Langer has been leading the Property Management Department as Head of Property Management.

Credit: RetailSymposium/Regioplan

“CONSUMPTION CAN BE AN EXPRESSION OF CONTROL, ESPECIALLY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES”

What will drive consumers in 2025? Why are the boundaries between discount and luxury blurring? How does a simple purchase become a meaningful experience? In this interview, consumer researcher Monika Koller from WU Vienna University of Economics and Business discusses emotional value dimensions, contradictory consumption patterns, and the challenge of creating genuine added value in a dynamic consumer landscape.

credit: Shutterstock

Gen Z And Millennials Are Redefining The Global Wellness Market

To millennials and Gen Zers, wellness has become a daily, personalized practice rather than a set of occasional activities or purchases. McKinsey’s latest Future of Wellness survey finds that distinct consumer segments are catalyzing demand for goods and services in wellness subcategories.

Will Odwarka is the Founder and CEO of Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting. /// credit: ACROSS, Will Odwarka

Will’s F&B Insights: Beyond Boundaries — THE GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE!

Let’s take a quick glance beyond the borders of Europe, as many markets hold much more promise than we might think. As businesses contemplate the next steps in their growth strategies, the question arises: when will we see new store openings in countries like Iraq, vibrant dining establishments in Pakistan, and ventures marked with flags in Tanzania or Kenya? Furthermore, why do Bangladesh, India or Saudi Arabia often remain absent from many brands’ master development plans? After years spent in international development, attending countless business meetings and conferences, Will Odwarka, Founder and CEO of Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, presents a candid perspective on this matter: Our collective bias and judgment often deter us from exploring these promising markets.

credit: SES Spar European Shopping Centers, ACROSS

Place Of The Week — SILLPARK, Innsbruck, Austria

SILLPARK in Innsbruck, Austria, is undergoing an extensive modernization and redesign process. Owner and operator SES Spar European Shopping Centers is investing more than 30 million euros in the major “SILLPARK 3.0” project, which, along with a comprehensive architectural upgrade, will focus on the construction of an innovative health park in cooperation with Vinzenz Gruppe Service.

Gilbert Menassa, Global Head of Strategic Communications at MK Illumination (left), Angelo Bonello presenting TESSELLIS at Westfield London (right). /// credit: Charles Emerson, MK Illumination

MKXART DEBUTS IMMERSIVE PUBLIC ART TRAIL“HERE WE GLOW” AT WESTFIELD LONDON

In close collaboration with Westfield London, MK Illumination UK curated an immersive public art trail under MKxART’s debut project “HERE WE GLOW”, featuring two internationally acclaimed artists: Liz West (UK) and Angelo Bonello (Italy). By connecting Westfield with two of the most respected public art talents in Europe, MKxART helped to position the center as a cultural destination beyond retail.

Silvio Kirchmair, CEO of umdasch The Store Makers (left), "Kämmerei" in Düsseldorf, Germany (right). /// credit: umdasch The Store Makers, Art-Invest Real Estate

REDEFINING PLACEMAKING: INSIDE THE KÄMMEREI’S VIBRANT MIXED-USE CONCEPT

In “Kämmerei”, Düsseldorf has a prime example of how retail space can be combined with other concepts in a sustainable way. The former administration building is being carefully revitalized by umdasch The Store Makers to become modern mix of office, retail, restaurant and event space.

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Shaping Spaces: Top Placemaking Projects of 2025
Across the globe, developers and architects are reimagining what it means to create “retail space.” The projects featured in this special edition, selected by leading industry experts, represent more than just successful developments; they are blueprints for the future of how we live, shop, and connect.
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