Klépierre inaugurates Créteil Soleil extension

Créteil Soleil opened in 1974 and has grown over the years to forge a close and trusting relationship with the inhabitants of Créteil and the surrounding towns. With 21 million visits each year, the pioneering shopping mall today enjoys a major position in the European portfolio of Klépierre and is ranked in the top five highest-performing shopping centers in France.

Klépierre wanted this 12,000 sq.m.-extension project to connect the shopping center directly to the Parisian metro, give the space occupied by cars back to pedestrians, and create a magnificent new facility that meets the ambition and the standards of excellence of our Group for its shopping malls.

Works began in January 2018 without interrupting activity in the mall. The extension unfolds in an glass canopy and 15 new restaurants along with an unprecedented “Food Avenue” almost 4,000 sq.m. in area, a location for special events and 6 new movie theaters of the latest generation, and 15 new exclusive brands. This is the first stage of an even bigger project that also includes a complete renovation of the existing shopping center planned to be completed by the end of 2020. The extension and renovation programs amount to an overall investment of approximately €170 million.

“With over half of the new surface area focusing on food and cinema activities, Créteil Soleil is no longer an exclusively shopping destination. It has become a genuine living area for our visitors” explains Jean-Marc Jestin, Chairman of the Klépierre Executive Board.

By focusing on both digital and physical experiences, Klépierre has completely redesigned the customer journey which is now “phygital”. “This development reflects our firm conviction that customers come to our malls for an experience that combines the comfort of physical with the efficiency of digital” says Barthélémy Doat, Managing Director for France and Belgium.

Some brands choose to open their first French shopping centers stores in Créteil Soleil, such as Monki (H&M group). Normal will open its fourth store in France and Nike will also open a flagship store in Créteil Soleil. An actual sign of confidence from retailers.