Lombardy is the richest Italian region, with a population that accounts for up to 10 million inhabitants, which is comparable to the total population of some European countries.

The European retail real estate industry has been going through the formation and development of mega-corporations. In the long run, will major enterprises divide the industry among themselves?

The acquisition of Westfield by Unibail-Rodamco also offers new opportunities for 26 shopping centers in the German portfolio. Tenants as well as customers should benefit.

By Reinhard Winiwarter, Publisher and Managing Partner ACROSS Magazine

Let’s face it: The general market sentiment for off-prime shopping centers, and even for well-performing assets in less prominent locations, is currently shaped by increased investor uncertainty about the future performance outlook for the asset class as a whole. Consequently, not much has happened in the European shopping center sector since the beginning of this year.

Over the last few years, the term Pop-up has become an overused retail and real estate buzzword. Nearly everyone who deals with commercial real estate and retail has come across these kinds of stores, but only few of them have a deep understanding of exactly how they can prove beneficial to both sides – the landlord’s and the tenant’s – and how they should be used and implemented in a shopping-center environment.

The close economic ties between Austria and neighbouring Germany have, for a long time, extended to the property markets in both countries.

It’s no secret that retail property owners are in the midst of adjusting our assets for a more omnichannel world.

“Oslo S Utvikling is currently undertaking a vast development in Bjørvika, a previously neglected part of the downtown area, adjacent to the Central Station.”

The ACROSS Advisory Board is happy to announce its latest addition and welcomes Peter Karai as its new member.

“I have always said large parts of the foodservice industry are actually leisure, now we are proving it every day.”

For many years, shopping centers have constituted a popular and successful asset class that – provided the assets have been well managed – have offered stable returns and high value stability.

Those who want to exploit successful Food & Beverage (F&B) locations at high traffic locations would do well to immerse themselves in the needs of the guests. This statement may seem obvious, but it’s really not that simple.

Recruitments, promotions and appointments in the European Retail Real Estate Industry.

Department stores are a key part of the retail mix in Europe. With bleak news about the sector blowing across the Atlantic, we thought it was time to take a close look at just how things were faring here in Europe. ICSC’s research has uncovered both shared challenges and fundamental differences.

With the advent of e-commerce, stores are being used by retailers to differentiate themselves from e-commerce platforms, providing shopping experiences that cannot be reproduced at home.

Until recently, securing a renowned global fashion brand as a shopping mall anchor was often considered a guarantee for success. This was particularly the case in CEE, where many such retailers were just beginning to enter the market.

In the words of the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “The only constant is change.” Applied in more modern terms: Only one who remains flexible and adapts his or her decisions to the constant change, can achieve ideal results in the long term. This is also true for participants in the German real estate sector.

Would you visit a café where you knew that a constant cold draft would blow onto your neck, leaving you shivering as you quickly drank your coffee, unable to truly relax? Would you take time to go window-shopping if you knew that you would be constantly battered by turbulent wind?

How the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation affects the European shopping center industry.

The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force on May 25, 2018. It harmonizes data privacy laws across Europe. Companies will be more accountable for their handling of people’s personal data and it will change how they handle information about their customers, their employees and their suppliers.

All through the years, commercial models in the retail sector have been evolving in alignment with changing consumer habits. It goes without saying that these consumer habits have experienced a huge transformation lately, especially due to the rapid advance of technologies and the digital era. However, I don’t believe that the boom of ecommerce will lead to the extinction of most shopping malls.

Often, the viability of a retail destination is judged by its catchment and the affluence of the local residential population.

Consumers have the technological freedom to shop whenever and wherever they want, and brands are expected to work much harder than ever before to maintain their loyalty.