Liviu Tudor outlines two current areas of focus for retail developments in the CEE-country: the construction of retail parks in small cities and the extension of existing commercial areas in larger cities.

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

According to the current “Shopping Centre Market Report Switzerland 2018”, the country’s malls have an average age of 30. A number of refurbishments are pending. But that alone will not be sufficient for future market success.

The latest European Shopping Centers report by Cushman & Wakefield shows that shopping center development activity in the first half of 2017 increased total floor space across Europe to 160.8 million sq m at the midpoint of the year.

A recent EHI study analyzed energy optimization measures in the retail sector.

The drafters of the Savills Global Luxury Retail Report have discovered that luxury retailers are currently focusing on top locations.

A report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and JLL finds that non-retail tenants – including F&B, leisure, and community amenities – have led to 28% estimated rental value growth, a 7.24% increase in footfall, and a 1% decrease in vacancy rates across 12 European malls in the past 12 months.

“Berlin is poor, but sexy.” That’s how Klaus Wowereit, then-mayor of Berlin, characterized the German federal capital in 2003. This mainly referred to the city’s massive debt, which then amounted to around €50 billion.

The ICSC recently published its study “The Successful Integration of Food & Beverage Within Retail Real Estate.” Here is a summary of its findings.

The Austrian capital is very popular with international retailers.

Experts continue to fear a drop in sales in retail stores, falling demand for retail space, and store closures. That is the essence of the “4th Shopping Center Market Report Switzerland 2017.”

According to Colliers International’s “Poland Market Insights—Annual Report 2017,” only about 400,000 sq m of new retail space was created in 2016. This is one third less than in 2015. Around 400,000 sq m are expected for this year as well.

In order to provide the retail and leisure industry with guidance and insight to navigate the opportunity posed by F&B, the ICSC commissioned JLL to carry out a global study. It should provide a holistic, 360-degree view of the current landscape, challenges, risks, opportunities, and future outlook for foodservice within the shopping center space.

Effective retail places use leisure, technology, and planning to lure shoppers, who now want shopping to be both functional and social.

The distribution of online potential for product groups such as food, clothing, consumer electronics and DIY items differs substantially from region to region. Recently GfK published its findings in the first-ever study on regional online potential for 17 product groups in Germany.

How the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union will affect the British shopping center industry.

Colliers recently published a “Retail Market Overview” of the first half of 2016 in Bulgaria. It indicates that the market will undergo sustainable development, with decreasing levels of supply and stable demand until the end of the year.

According to a recent report by Cushman & Wakefield, the sales area of European retail parks will increase by 50% more in 2016 than in the previous year. This growth is due mainly to developments in France, Italy, and the UK.

In an interview with ACROSS, Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, explains how the City Center Strategy protects and progresses the retail offer.

The EHI Retail Institute recently presented the German “Shopping Center Report 2016.” It reports that only four new projects will be completed this year. Revitalizations and neighborhoods centers currently prevail.

The annual volume of new Moscow shopping centers will decrease to 460,000 sq m in 2016. Almost 90% of 2016 completions will come from postponed projects.

GfK study on key retail indicators: 2015 review and 2016 forecast

According to Redevco, these are the top three most attractive European retail destinations. It is notable that soft factors continue to drive city performance.

ECE has published new study on development of food & beverages at shopping centers. Restaurants and food courts have been an important trend at the centers for a while.