Advertisement

Ticker

THE LATEST PLACEMAKING NEWS

Designer outlet shopping is no longer considered a niche retail format. It has become a resilient growth story within the global retail real estate sector. Combining premium brands with guaranteed year-round value – outlets typically offer 30–70% savings on merchandise – drawing in shoppers who are increasingly value-conscious but still aspire to purchase luxury and lifestyle labels.

Investment market results in Poland for Q1-Q3 2025 reflect stable market condition, with year-to-date volume aligning closely with the Q1-Q3 2024 results. By the end of September, the Polish investment market reached a total volume of €2.6 billion within 105 transactions, indicating increased liquidity. Polish capital continues to gain momentum, capitalizing on attractive pricing opportunities. In contrast, core capital remains cautious, with only two transactions exceeding the €100 million mark.

QTU, Albania’s first shopping center, marks its 20th anniversary – celebrating two decades of redefining retail, leisure, and family experiences. The milestone highlights a story of innovation, customer loyalty, and strong emotional connection. Its month-long anniversary campaign drew record footfall and reinforced QTU’s position as Albania’s most established and future-ready shopping destination.

With new international brand partners, a clear focus on sustainability, and high levels of investment, Designer Outlet Parndorf continues to assert itself as one of Europe’s leading shopping destinations. General Manager Mario Schwann, in an in-depth interview, discusses the success factors behind events such as the recent Late Night Shopping, the growing importance of tourism and gastronomy, and why “rightsizing” is sometimes more critical than larger store spaces.

Ibrahim Eker is the founder of CEEPlay, a company that has become known across Europe and beyond for its unique realizations of placemaking through innovative, architectural playgrounds. Collaborating closely with Carve, a design studio that is world-renowned for its groundbreaking work, CEEPlay has turned children’s playgrounds and public spaces into eye-catching landmarks that stimulate not only children, but the communities around them. In this in-depth conversation, he reflects on his journey, his design philosophy, the impact of play on urban environments, and the future of public space.

How a simple plastic rectangle became a trillion-dollar industry — and what comes next.

The retail market in Türkiye is undergoing radical change: There are fewer but stronger new store openings, record rents in Istanbul’s prime locations, and global brands positioning themselves alongside ambitious Turkish players expanding abroad. With steady demand fueled by tourism and projects such as Florentia Village and Tersane İstanbul redefining urban destinations, 2025 has been all about selective growth, seamless customer touchpoints, and retail at the heart of city life.

After 28 years in the service of Aldi Nord, Torsten Hufnagel steps down as CEO and will be leaving on 31 December 2025, naming Nicolás de Lope as new leader for the group.

What if your shopping center could predict which tenant would fail three months before they knew it themselves? What if empty walls and busy corridors could generate as much revenue as the stores beside them? What if finding the perfect pop-up tenant took minutes instead of months?

With malls, retail parks, hotels, and housing projects, BALFIN Group is setting new standards in Southeast Europe. In this interview, Vice President Csaba Toth outlines the expansion from the Balkans to Western markets and explains why digital innovation and an integrated approach make BALFIN a prime partner for investors and brands.

M Core has completed the acquisition of Southwater Square, a 99,000 sq ft leisure scheme located in the heart of Telford town centre. The scheme forms part of the wider Southwater regeneration. It is anchored by a strong line-up of national operators, including Cineworld, Premier Inn, Miller and Carter, Zizzi, Willow, Pizza Express, Nando’s and Bella Italia.

Long-term leases and predictable returns are no longer the bedrock of retail real estate. In a post-pandemic world shaped by volatile consumer habits, economic uncertainty, and omnichannel disruption, landlords face a new reality: Tenants demand agility, landlords need security, and the lease itself has become a delicate balancing act. David Fuller-Watts, CEO of Kinexio, explains: From short-term pop-ups to turnover-based rents, the rules are being rewritten, and technology may be the key to turning risk into resilience.

With the acquisition of significant portfolios in Italy and Germany, the development of Malmö Designer Village, and numerous expansions, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping is among the most dynamic players in the European outlet market. Together with partner FREY, the company is now pursuing ambitious growth goals. ROS co-founder Thomas Reichenauer talks about the latest steps, synergies in ESG and digitalization, and the challenges of a changing industry.

FREY Group has transformed the retail landscape with its open-air Shopping Promenades, and now it is venturing boldly into the outlet sector. In this exclusive interview, Chairman & CEO Antoine Frey explains why the acquisition of ROS was pivotal, how cultural placemaking and B Corp sustainability guide the company’s vision, and why projects like Malmö Designer Village and Designer Outlet Berlin are setting new standards across Europe.

The huma shopping center in Sankt Augustin is a unique development in the German retail sector: An established center has been successfully combined with a fully-fledged outlet area for the first time. ACROSS spoke with Dr. Maximilian Gutsche, Managing Director of the Jost Hurler Group, and Lars Jähnichen, Managing Director of the IPH Group, about the background, implementation, and market success of this model, as well as how it could be replicated elsewhere.

Deka Immobilien has appointed HBB Centermanagement GmbH & Co. KG to handle center management, including commercial and technical property management as well as leasing management, for two of its shopping centers: the Nedderfeld Center in Hamburg and the Alleen Center in Trier. The handover will take place on January 1, 2026.

Silverburn, the leading prime retail and leisure asset located in Glasgow, owned by Henderson Park and managed by Eurofund Group, has further expanded its growing F&B offer with the recent signing of Wingstop UK.