Advertisement
Twitter Facebook Linkedin Rss
ACROSS

Ticker

THE LATEST PLACEMAKING NEWS

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.

credit: Big Poland

BIG Strengthens Market Presence in Poland with Tenth Retail Park

BIG Poland has completed the acquisition of OTO Park Koszalin, adding 38,000 sq m of gross leasable area to its portfolio. With this latest deal, the company now operates ten fully commercialised retail parks across Poland, including sites in Łubna (near Warsaw), Lubin, Andrychów, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Ostróda, Myszków, Włocławek, Olsztyn, and Suwałki.

credit: NEPI Rockcastle

NEPI Rockcastle Launches Romania’s Largest Retail-Focused Solar Park to Power Green Energy Transition

NEPI Rockcastle’s renewable energy output is expected to expand to cover 48% of the electricity demand of its shopping centres and tenants in Romania, the company’s largest market, by the end of 2026 – up from 6% at the end of 2024. CEE’s largest retail real estate company is deploying a new 54.1 MW greenfield solar power park in western Romania under a €110 million programme – the biggest green energy investment for a non-energy sector corporate across the region’s markets.

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: NEINVER

NEINVER Cuts Emissions by 5% in 2024, Reinforces Net Zero Commitment

NEINVER, a leading European investor, developer, and operator of retail outlet centers, has announced a 5% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions and a 3% drop in energy consumption for 2024, despite record-breaking temperatures and rising visitor numbers across its portfolio. The results, outlined in the company’s newly released 2024 Sustainability Report, underscore the effectiveness of NEINVER’s ongoing environmental strategy and its commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions.

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: BBE

BBE Handelsberatung Appoints Dr. Philipp Hoog as Partner

With the promotion of Dr. Philipp Hoog to partner as of July 1, 2025, BBE Handelsberatung underscores its long-standing commitment to shaping the future of retail and consumer goods through expert strategy and innovation.

credit: SES

“RETAIL’S CORE FUNCTION IS CURATION”

The demands placed on brick-and-mortar retailers have intensified significantly: Experiences, clear positioning, and top-quality levels are no longer optional, but mandatory. “Only those who provide a sense of clarity stand a chance of survival.” Christoph Andexlinger, CEO of SES Spar European Shopping Centers, speaks with ACROSS about the realignment of traditional shopping centers, the power of regional retailers, and why mid-range segment retailers will only have a future, if they are uncomprisingly clearly positioned.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed about the latest news and deals within the placemaking industry in Europe.

stay informed

Contact

ACROSS Medien und Verlags GmbH
1010 Vienna, Austria
Ebendorferstraße 3|10
Phone:+43 1 533 32 60-0
E-Mail: office@across-magazine.com

Media Data

For detailed information about ACROSS, the international and independent trade medium for placemaking in Europe please visit:
Media Presentation and Rates

Follow us

If you want to keep up with what’s going on in the international placemaking community, give us a follow!

Twitter Facebook Linkedin Rss

Legal

© ACROSS Medien und Verlags GmbH, All rights reserved

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.
Go to Special