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THE LATEST PLACEMAKING NEWS

credit: MEC

MEC Leases 74,000 sq m of Retail Space in First Half of 2025

MEC, a leading specialist in the management of retail properties, remains on its growth trajectory in the first half of 2025. The company signed a total of 124 new and renewed lease agreements across its portfolio, covering approximately 74,000 sq m of retail space. A standout success story is the Halle Center Peißen, where MEC has demonstrated its comprehensive management and implementation capabilities.

credit: Robert Fritz/SES

Strong Partnerships, Thriving Centers: SES Shoppartner Satisfaction Survey 2025

Austria’s largest shopping center operator, SES Spar European Shopping Centers, has taken a close look at the satisfaction of its retail, gastronomy, and service partners. The results of a new survey show high marks across the board, especially for local center management and the company’s strong image.

credit: Rhubarb Hospitality Collection

Anchor partners for the fine dining cluster at Westfield Hamburg Überseequartier: ‘Elemente’ and ‘Air Bar 13’ to open in the first quarter of 2026

Hospitality Collection (RHC) is the key anchor tenant for the exclusive fine dining and bar offering at the waterfront of the urban quarter. Together with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), interior fittings for the two future food & beverage and event hotspots have started. The South American restaurant ‘Elemente’, which was specially designed for the location, and the rooftop venue ‘Air Bar 13’ will bring cosmopolitan appeal directly to the river Elbe. The concepts are scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026.

credit: NEINVER

NEINVER Appoints David Hernández as New Sustainability Manager

NEINVER, a leading European company in the development, investment, and management of outlet centres, has announced the appointment of David Hernández as its new Sustainability Manager. His appointment forms part of the company’s evolving ESG strategy – an essential pillar of its business model and a key driver of its decarbonisation roadmap.

credit: Balfin

BALFIN Group: Shaping the Future of Real Estate in the Western Balkans and Beyond

With a dynamic mix of shopping malls, retail parks, hotels, and residential developments, BALFIN Group is setting new benchmarks for real estate in Southeast Europe. In this exclusive interview, the company’s Vice President of Real Estate Asset Management, Csaba Toth, outlines BALFIN’s growth strategy, from expanding its footprint across the Balkans to entering mature Western markets. He explains how the group is redefining retail, embracing digital innovation, and why its integrated approach makes BALFIN a one-stop gateway for international investors and retail brands eyeing this fast-growing region.

credit: MK ILLUMINATION

BETWEEN DISCOUNT AND LUXURY: WHY RETAIL DESTINATIONS NOW DEPEND ON EMOTION – AND HOW LIGHT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

The retail world is undergoing radical realignment. Discounters thrive through efficiency. Luxury brands shine with immersive storytelling. In between, the middle market is eroding. Locations that don’t tell a compelling story are losing relevance. MK Illumination sees this polarization not as a crisis, but as a creative opportunity. Where emotion enters the equation, value returns – and light is the most powerful medium for creating that emotional connection.

credit: HyperIn

PEOPLE POWER: THE UNTAPPED ESG VALUE IN RETAIL REAL ESTATE

ESG is everywhere in commercial real estate – on investor slides, in procurement tenders, in board-level commitments. However, while the environmental and governance pillars are well-institutionalized, the social side often remains vague, difficult to quantify, and harder to activate. That gap caught my attention, states Jean Carlos Delgado, Brand and Marketing Director, HyperIn Inc.

credit: umdasch

A new dimension for travel, enjoyment and shopping: umdasch realises Smartseller store at Nuremberg Airport

Opened at the beginning of April, the new 1,100 sq m Smartseller store offers travellers an innovative duty-free shopping experience combined with high-quality food and beverage offerings and a sense of regional identity. The Store Makers at umdasch took on the entire project management for the store construction and ensured a smooth and high-quality implementation with the delivery and installation of furniture, light sculptures and catering elements.

credit: Fiba

BEYOND THE MID-MARKET SEGMENT: HOW FIBA CP NAVIGATES THE GLOBAL RETAIL DIVIDE

Retail is no longer defined by the mid-market segment. Across the globe, a growing divide is reshaping the sector: Luxury brands are thriving on exclusivity and immersive experiences, while discount retailers are rapidly expanding through pricing power and operational scale. Mid-market players – the dependable heart of shopping centers – are being squeezed out, explains Yurdaer Kahraman, CEO and Board Member of Fiba Commercial Properties.

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: Johann Haas

Sonae Sierra: Tobias Lagaly Appointed as New Center Manager of EUROPA-Galerie Saarbrücken

Sonae Sierra has announced the appointment of Tobias Lagaly as the new Center Manager of EUROPA-Galerie Saarbrücken, a prominent shopping destination in the heart of the Saarland capital. The native Saarbrücken resident officially assumed his new role today, bringing with him extensive industry experience in both center management and event development.

credit: Müller

Müller Sets New Records with Resilient Growth and Strategic Expansion

German retail group Müller has achieved a record €5 billion in net sales in the 2023/24 fiscal year, reinforcing its position as a resilient full-range retailer amid challenging market conditions. Strategic expansion, digital innovation, and a strong workforce continue to drive the company’s success.

credit: MEC

MEC Establishes New Strategic Unit to Drive Targeted Growth

With the launch of its new Business & Project Development (BPD) division, MEC is reinforcing its strategic focus and aligning even more closely with market and client needs. The new unit is set to play a central role in expanding the company’s portfolio and enhancing the development of retail real estate across Germany.

credit: Kinexio

The great retail divide: Why polarization is reshaping the retail landscape

Market analysts show that retail is becoming increasingly polarized: Consumers are shifting toward either high-end experiences or low-cost purchases, leaving mid-market retailers struggling. This divide affects both retailers and locations — with vibrant city hubs thriving while smaller towns face challenges.

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.

credit: SES

Further brand debuts in SES centers:International retailers opting for top locations

When international retailers scout new markets, SES Spar European Shopping Centers is often their first port of call. The latest market entries – including KIKO Milano and Fashion&Friends in Slovenia, and the global debut of HIGGINS in Vienna – confirm SES’s position as a launchpad for brands with global appeal. With high foot traffic, premium locations, and standout architecture, SES centers continue to attract major players in retail looking to make a strong first impression.

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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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