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Retail

STRATEGIES AND EXPANSION PLANS OF RETAILERS

credit: Eurofund

GRADUAL CHANGE: THE NEW MID-RANGE BETWEEN LUXURY AND DISCOUNT CONCEPTS

From the rummage table to the feel-good factor: Discount concepts are no longer stigmatized, and luxury concepts are booming. That’s not to say that mid-range concepts are disappearing, but if you want to survive somewhere between the two poles, you’d better deliver. In an interview with ACROSS, Olaf Ley, CEO of Germany Retail at Eurofund, describes the most important changes in consumer behavior in recent years and provides insight into the developments concerning the Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum (RRZ) in Mülheim, Germany, as well as Eurofund’s expansion plans.

credit: umdasch

Digital, local, sustainable: the new DNA of travel retail

Travel retail is an industry in transition, driven by a resurgence in travel activity, new consumer expectations, technological innovations, and a growing demand for sustainable concepts. Michael Ripfl, Sales Director for Nordics & Travel Retail at umdasch The Store Makers, provides an in-depth insight into current developments, long-term trends, and specific project examples. It becomes clear that what once began as the “sale of spirits and tobacco” has now evolved into a complex interplay of retailtainment, locality, and an innovative customer approach.

From Fashion to Leisure: Transforming Shopping Spaces for Tomorrow’s Cities

A radical transformation: As traditional retail declines and department stores shutter, cities are reimagining these spaces as vibrant hubs of leisure, culture, and community. From immersive entertainment in London to rooftop farms in Antwerp, this shift reflects more than just changing consumer habits – it’s reshaping urban life itself, explains Herman Kok, Associate Partner at DISCvision. Discover how tomorrow’s cities are turning shopping into experience, and malls into modern agoras.

credit: Westfield

Westfield Donau Zentrum Boosts Fashion Line-Up with Stradivarius, Pull&Bear, and More

Westfield Donau Zentrum, the Austrian capital’s largest shopping and entertainment center, continues to reinforce its position as a retail powerhouse with a major expansion of its fashion portfolio. The center welcomes international brands Stradivarius, Pull&Bear, New Yorker, and Pepe Jeans to its ever-growing mix, setting new benchmarks in the local retail landscape.

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: umdasch

umdasch is rethinking the Car Showroom: How Placemaking Is Shaping the Automotive Sector

How are design, technology, and sustainability transforming the automotive trade from traditional showrooms to digitally connected spaces? The recently published ninth edition of inSites – a special publication by umdasch – titled “From Showroom to Brand Room”, explores which emerging trends are overturning traditional retail concepts, why the quality of stay has become a must-have, and why integrating digital touchpoints is essential.

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: 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.

Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, is leaving his position in March 2026. /// credit: NEPI Rockcastle, Bellier

NEPI ROCKCASTLE CEO RÜDIGER DANY TO LEAVE COMPANY IN MARCH 2026

Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, the leading owner, operator and developer of shopping centers across Central and Eastern European markets and the third largest listed retail real estate company in Europe by value of assets, is leaving his position in March 2026.

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.

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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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