Opinion Archives

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.

Will’s F&B Insights: Italy — More than Moms-and-Pops Trattoria

Concepts like L’Osteria, BigMama, and Vapiano continue to thrive in the ever-evolving dining landscape. These establishments have profoundly influenced the fast-casual sector. Yet, amidst these recognizable names, there is a burgeoning number of Italian food and beverage chains emerging on the global stage, shares Will Odwarka, Founder and CEO of Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the latest article of his “F&B Insights” column.

OUTLOOK 2025: “THE CHALLENGE IS TO MEET CUSTOMERS WHERE THEY ARE—ON THEIR SCREENS, IN THEIR HOMES, AND AT THEIR CONVENIENCE.”

“The heart of placemaking now lies in forging meaningful digital connections on a larger scale,” states Ben Chesser, CEO of Coniq, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT WITH POST-PANDEMIC TRENDS CAN DRIVE SUCCESS, FOSTER RESILIENCE, AND CREATE A COMPETITIVE EDGE.”

“Promote authenticity through placemaking, drive innovation for a competitive advantage, and build resilience with sustainability and risk strategies,” states Jovana Cvetković, Development, TO and Innovations Director at MPC Properties, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “OUTLET CENTERS WILL CONTINUE TO OUTPERFORM FULL-PRICE RETAIL IF THEY KEEP EMBRACING INITIATIVES THAT SHIFT THE FOCUS FROM DISCOUNT-DRIVEN TO EXPERIENTIAL, GUEST-FOCUSED EXPERIENCES.”

“To drive success in the outlet shopping industry, focusing on the guest experience is paramount,” shares Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO of VIA Outlets, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “THE SHARPER THE FOCUS THE WIDER THE APPEAL.”

“Make Disruption your best friend and Focus your main purpose,” says Henrik Madsen, Founder of HMJ International, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “THE KEY CHALLENGE IS TO REDEFINE GROWTH: NOT IN SQUARE METERS, BUT IN ADDED VALUE.”

“Brick-and-mortar retail’s success hinges on its ability to evolve and leverage the strengths of physical shopping,” shares Silvio Kirchmair, CEO of umdasch The Store Makers, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “WE HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND MAKE THEM FEEL WELCOME.”

“We must move away from a “transactional” mindset to one of making people “feel welcome”,” says Chris Igwe, Global Retail Expert, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “ONLY BRANDS THAT MAINTAIN A CLEAR, COMPELLING IDENTITY WILL STAND OUT.”

“The industry must embrace creativity and innovation, ensuring every offering delivers something distinctive and exciting,” says Roger Goyk, Director Retail at Brookfield Properties Germany, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “THE ONGOING EVOLUTION OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND TENANT DEMANDS WILL NECESSITATE A PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT STYLE.”

“The overarching shift toward increased uncertainty in today’s economic and political landscape may also encourage a more hands-on approach for our retail assets,” shares Angelus Bernreuther, Head of Business Development at DEFAMA, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE COLLABORATION AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN BRANDS AND INVESTORS.”

“We need to see more collaboration between brands, investors, developers and agents,” says Giles Membrey, Managing Director of Rioja Estates, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “WE NEED TO REMAIN HIGHLY FOCUSSED TO SUPPORT THE MOMENTUM WE SEE IN OUR MARKETS.”

“Investor sentiment has improved towards core assets, which have adapted and thrived post-pandemic and in the face of the competitive challenge of ecommerce,” says Marek Noetzel, COO at NEPI Rockcastle, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “THE INDUSTRY MUST EMBRACE ADAPTIVE PLACEMAKING, LEVERAGING REAL-TIME DATA AND USER FEEDBACK TO ENSURE SPACES REMAIN RELEVANT AND FUNCTIONAL.”

“As the boundaries between physical and digital spaces blur, placemaking must fully embrace hybrid models,” says Markus Porvari, Founder and CEO of HyperIn, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “THE INDUSTRY IS WITNESSING A LASTING TRANSFORMATION IN THE FORM OF AI AND DIGITALIZATION.”

“Smart technologies continue to set new standards for visitor interaction by combining real-time assistance with personalized engagement,” says Yurdaer Kahraman, CEO and Board Member at FIBA CP, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “SHAPE THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION AND ADAPT IT TO THE NEEDS OF THE SPECIFIC LOCATIONS”

“It is important that all parties pull together – owners, tenants and operators,” says Joanna Fisher, CEO of ECE Marketplaces, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “WE HAVE A LOT OF BRAINS OUT THERE, BUT A LACK OF BACKBONE TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.”

“Someone’s got to do things differently in the industry now. Let’s have the spine to do it,” says Ian Sandford, President at Eurofund Group, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “The Real Test Is Maintaining A Hyper-Local Focus As We Grow And Explore New Ways To Connect People, And Foster Creativity.”

“It’s about finding the balance between staying locally relevant in each market we operate in and aligning with global goals,” says Cindy Andersen, Managing Director of Ingka Centres, in ACROSS Magazine’s new “Outlook 2025”.

OUTLOOK 2025: “Stay In The Minds Of Customers”

“The greatest challenge for our industry in the following years will be to stay in the minds of customers on a permanent basis,” states Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of RaRE Advise, and Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the new “Outlook 2025” edition.

Will´s F&B Insights: New Year of Hospitality Trends and Predictions

How are you doing with your resolutions? Still going strong, or already planning for the resolutions for next year? Its customary to look into my glass bowl at the beginning of a new year and predict the future of hospitality, new trends and what else is cooking in our industry and how it might impact the leasing and development efforts.

NEVER STOP ADAPTING AND CONCENTRATING ON THE TOP PRIORITIES

As the year draws to a close, Reinhard Winiwarter, founder and publisher of ACROSS Magazine, and Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of RaRE Advise and Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board, pause to reflect on the retail real estate industry’s current state. Although 2024 has shown many positives, the two industry experts are concerned about one thing: the possibility that many industry players will not be able to keep up with the speed of change.

ELISEN PALAIS – REDEVCO’S VISION FOR HAMBURG’S NEW CITY-CENTER JEWEL

Hamburg’s iconic Mönckebergstrasse is set to welcome a transformative development project: Elisen Palais will breathe new life into a historic site once home to the renowned C&A building. This ambitious project seeks to create a climate-neutral, mixed-use property while paying homage to the architectural history of the area, as Nikolas Bosnić, Head of Development Redevco DACH, explains.

MARKETING CAN REDEFINE THE ROLE OF SHOPPING CENTERS IN A CHANGING RETAIL LANDSCAPE

The challenge is to transform the shopping center from a place of consumption to a world of experience that seamlessly combines leisure, entertainment, and shopping. In his guest article, Sebastian Guth, Managing Director of 21Media, explains the role of B2B and B2C marketing in the transition of brick-and-mortar retail and shopping centers.

Will’s F&B Insights: Opening A Restaurant In Western Europe – Are You Insane?

“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.

TECHNICAL INNOVATION BY BRANDS AND CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH LANDLORDS WILL DETERMINE WINNERS AND LOSERS IN RETAIL’S “SECULAR SHIFT”

“We are all aware of the seismic changes in the retail landscape in recent years that have affected both owners and occupiers”, says Chris Fleetwood, Deputy COO Real Estate at Redevco. Therefore, a combination of macroeconomic events, higher-for-longer interest rates and inflation, increased consumer awareness of their own environmental footprints and values, and the emergence of transformative technologies have created an ever more competitive environment.

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Opinion

PERSONAL COMMENTARIES OF PLACEMAKING EXPERTS