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THE LATEST PLACEMAKING NEWS

Trade in Europe | ©Pixabay

Retail Trade Review and Outlook 2026: EU, CEE and Non-EU Member States

Retail in Europe is anything but straightforward. Highly saturated Western markets coexist with faster-growing economies in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, each following its own trajectory. Eurostat data reveal sharply diverging retail trade volume trends, suggesting significantly different growth paths across regions in 2026.

Facade of Meadowhall in Sheffield, UK /// © Meadowhall

MEADOWHALL WRAPS UP 300,000 SQ FT OF LEASING IN 2025

Meadowhall has announced the openings of MINISO and TK Maxx, as the destination concludes a strong year of leasing activity and retail performance. These additions follow several major openings in 2025, including Sephora, Superdrug, and Wingstop, which achieved its most successful launch of any location in the country.

TEG Shopping Center Albania | © ACREM

ACREM: A Strategic Force Shaping the Future of Retail in Albania’s and North Macedonia’s Rapidly Growing Economy

Albania’s retail market is evolving at unprecedented speed. As CEO of ACREM, Mariola Kuçi heads one of BALFIN Group’s key companies, operating in Albania and North Macedonia and driving the modernization of commercial real estate and retail standards. Under her leadership, ACREM has established itself as Albania’s leading commercial property management company, while also contributing expertise for BALFIN Group’s other assets such as East Gate Mall in North Macedonia, among the region’s landmark retail destinations.

ALEXA at Alexanderplatz in Berlin, Germany /// © Sonae Sierra

Major Bershka reopening in ALEXA, Berlin

On the 11th of December, Bershka celebrated a major reopening in Berlin’s well-known retail destination owned by Union investment and managed by Sonae Sierra – ALEXA.

Vertical Shopping Mall in Xian | © STIR Architecture |

Asia’s Vertical Malls: Going Up as a Strategy in Dense Urban Environments

In Asia’s megacities, building upward is not a choice but a necessity – and shopping centers have turned this constraint into a strength. Liliya Shaykhutdinova analyses how leading Asian vertical malls successfully drive footfall across multiple levels, and explores which of these principles can inspire European multi-storey malls to rethink circulation, tenant mix and upper-floor relevance.

Facade of Gropius Passagen in Berlin, Germany /// © Gropius Passagen

Gropius Passagen concludes successful 2025

With a stable footfall, successful leasing activity and consistent developments, Berlin’s Gropius Passagen concludes a truly successful year this December – with plans already in motion to achieve strategic goals in 2026.

Portrait of Marius Barbu /// © NEPI Rockcastle

Marius Barbu appointed as COO of NEPI Rockcastle

NEPI Rockcastle NV, Europe’s third largest listed retail real estate company by portfolio value, has appointed Marius Barbu as Chief Operating Officer (COO) with effect from 1st April 2026, to succeed Marek Noetzel, current COO and CEO-designate.

Portrait of Malte Wallschläger /// © Union Investment

Union Investment announces new Head of Asset Mangement Europe

Malte Wallschläger will take over as Head of Asset Management Europe at Union Investment Real Estate GmbH, Hamburg, on 1 January 2026. He will succeed Cathrin Schwartz, who has successfully managed this division for 13 years and will retire on 1 March 2026 after 21 years with the company.

The country's largest MINISO store in Düsseldorf, Germany /// © MINISO

Largest MINISO store in Germany opens in Düsseldorf

On December 5, 2025, MINISO opened its newest store at Flinger Straße 27 in Düsseldorf, marking its largest retail location in Germany to date. The new store’s debut meets the expectations of local shoppers as well as trengthening the retailer’s growing presence across the European market.

Matt Slade, Retail Director Quintain | © Chris Winter / Quintain

London Designer Outlet: Adapting to a Changing Market

As consumer priorities shift and brands reassess their physical retail strategies, London Designer Outlet (LDO) at Wembley shows, how location, experience and value-led retail can intersect. Matt Slade, Retail Director at Quintain, reflects on the year 2025.

North Quay masterplan | © Rioja Estates

Masterplan for Great Yarmouth North Quay unveiled

Outlet specialist Rioja Estates and developer Willmott Dixon have unveiled an ambitious masterplan for the regeneration and development of the North Quay area of Great Yarmouth, England.

Christmas shopping is becoming a hybrid affair. | Image provided by CACI

Hybrid Shopping Dominates Christmas Season

A survey by the data specialists CACI shows that 87% of UK consumers plan to shop both online and in-store for Christmas gifts this year. Only 7% intend to shop exclusively in-store, while just 6% plan to do all their shopping online.