Retail warehousing in Europe has evolved rapidly as a trading format over the last 30+ years and now accounts for a significant share of both retail floor space and sales volumes. Although retail warehouses were initially developed to service the needs of “bulky goods” retailers, the attraction to shoppers of easy access and convenient free parking soon registered with other retailer groups. Increasingly, fashion, footwear, sports, and household goods retailers have committed to out-of-town formats where planning conditions permit.
The quality of the retail offer presented by a shopping center is the route to leveraging customer preference. It is therefore key to retailer success. The art of leasing is central to our business.
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.
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.
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.
The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, has shown retail real estate operators who is a reliable rental partner, says Oleg Krüger, Senior Director of Expansion at Takko Fashion. The discount fashion retailer is growing against the market trend and is pursuing ambitious growth targets. In an interview with ACROSS, Krüger explains the new role of discounters in European retail and how Takko is positioning itself strategically in a polarized retail landscape.
As e-commerce revenues are projected to grow by 27% between 2024 and 2028, Europe’s growth is the lowest among major regions, revealed a recent study by ECDB.
«The goal is to offer facilities to transform outlet centers as “living centers” or “places of life” and to drive footfall, especially during all the week, » states Caroline Lamy, CEO of Magdus. In this interview, she gives an overview of the European Outlet market. This means that pure retail offers in outlets should also be combined with F&B and leisure offers, residential or health services offers – if it makes sense.
The ACROSS Advisory Board is happy to welcome its newest members, Antoine Frey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FREY Group, and Lars Jähnichen, Managing Director of the IPH Group.
This year’s EuroCIS focused on artificial intelligence, seamless check-out, and smart technologies. The presented solutions impressively showed how the retail industry will be positioned in the future. Generative AI enables more efficient processes, while automated checkout systems and digital shopping carts transform the shopping experience. Here, we present the most exciting approaches.
Owned and managed by VIA Outlets, Sevilla Fashion Outlet is not only an outstanding retail destination within Spain, but all over Europe. The remodelling of the outlet center that was finished at the end of 2023 has contributed to a large increase in visitor numbers and brand sales at the location, and continues to inspire the industry, as can be seen by its position as a finalist for ‘Best Refurbishment and Expansion Project’ at the 2024 MAPIC Awards.
Trinity Capital is one of Bulgaria’s most prominent developers and owners of retail real estate. After developing retail parks and acquiring shopping centers, the company is now entering the market for designer outlets and planning Bulgaria’s first outlet village in Sofia, which will be in the direct vicinity of the largest retail park in the Balkans, which belongs to Trinity as well. Stoyan Kolev, CEO of Trinity Capital, explains why Bulgaria is ready for an outlet, his plans for the location, why the combination of outlet and retail park makes sense, and why entertainment and gastronomy are essential keys to more footfall.
Well deserved honor: Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, received the lifetime achievement award at the prestigious 19th SEE Property Awards. This prize recognizes and celebrates Rüdiger Dany’s incredible 30-year career and his invaluable contribution to the real estate industry. In 2024, he continued to write his personal success story and that of NEPI Rockcastle. Probably no other company performed as well as NEPI in 2024. Reason enough to talk to Rüdiger Dany about the highlights of his company as well as current developments and challenges.
VIA Outlets enters the final weeks of 2024 at the MAPIC trade show in Cannes with leasing demand remaining strong and a slate of major expansion and refurbishment projects gathering pace. The major extension of VIA Outlets’ Sevilla Fashion Outlet in southern Spain, which opened towards the end of last year, also qualified as a finalist in the ‘Best Refurbishment and Expansion Project’ category of the prestigious MAPIC Awards 2024, among a field of 154 applications.
Following the start of the brand´s insolvency proceedings in Germany earlier this week, according to a recent interview between Bluestar CEO Joseph Gabbay and the German “Textilwirtschaft”, the US investment company, which owns the Scotch & Soda brand rights, is planning to hold on to the market.
Kaufland is continuing its expansion tour in Europe. Revitalizations are playing an increasingly central role in this. The integration of existing retail locations and modernization has recently increased compared to the construction of new buildings. Furthermore, the latest example in Sofia shows the role that the interaction between tourism and retail can play for a location. With the revitalization of the Central Market Hall in Sofia, Kaufland is not only reviving an architecturally unique location but also a tourist magnet.
Originally developed solely to meet the daily needs of consumers, shopping centers quickly became an asset class. The model worked very well for a long time, but as consumer behavior has changed, so have the requirements of tenants, operators and investors. The obvious task to satisfy customers, business partners and stakeholders is: Get your customers to return to your locations. Clear differentiation and positioning as well as a clear focus on people are crucial.
Originally developed solely to meet the daily needs of consumers, shopping centers quickly became an asset class. The model worked very well for a long time, but as consumer behavior has changed, so have the requirements of tenants, operators and investors. The obvious task to satisfy customers, business partners and stakeholders is: Get your customers to return to your locations. Clear differentiation and positioning as well as a clear focus on people are crucial.
Today, more than ever, a first-class location, excellent management, and continuous further development are decisive for the future of a retail property. In addition to the location-specific sector and tenant mix, the gastronomic offer is crucial for success – as ECE Marketplaces shows.
Today, more than ever, a first-class location, excellent management, and continuous further development are decisive for the future of a retail property. In addition to the location-specific sector and tenant mix, the gastronomic offer is crucial for success – as ECE Marketplaces shows.
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