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BALFIN Group: “New markets need courageous people.”

The BALFIN Group has brought nothing less than the idea of shopping centers to Albania. The group is not only a developer and operator of assets but has also developed into one of the most influential retail and wholesale players in the Western Balkans. “It takes courage, trust, and patience to break new ground,” says Julian Mane, Vice President Retail of the BALFIN Group. “But whoever is among the first on a new market will also be the most successful.” In the extensive interview with ACROSS, Mane explains, among other things, how he convinces brands to enter the Albanian market, what they can expect there, and why retail parks will be the future concept for the country.

credit: Eurofund

LEISURE IS HOW YOU GET PEOPLE TO SHOPPING PLACES – FOOD IS HOW YOU GET THEM TO STAY

Ian Sandford, President of Eurofund Group, creates places that combine shopping, gastronomy, and leisure, ensuring that everyone finds a reason to go to a center every day. He coined the term “shopping resort” as a result. After numerous very successful projects, particularly with Puerto Venecia in Spain and Ubbo in Lisbon, he is now bringing his idea of a shopping resort to the Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum in Germany. In this interview, he explains what managers can learn from goldfish and why courage is more crucial than ever. He also shares his plans for the Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum and his other assets.

Last year's Mapic Awards winners. /// credit: Mapic, S. CHAMPEAUX / IMAGE&CO

The Mapic Awards 2024 Finalists Are Revealed

MAPIC has revealed the finalists for its highly anticipated MAPIC Awards 2024. The awards, which recognise outstanding achievement across 13 categories, showcase the year’s most innovative and impactful players in retail real estate, from established brands to emerging concepts. Winners will be announced on 28th November during MAPIC in Cannes, France.

credit: SES, wildbild, Herbert Rohrer

SES: Four Winners of the yip.at Business Promotion Award 2024

For the fifth time, SES Spar European Shopping Centers awarded the yip.at Business Promotion Prize, which covers EUR 10,000 and exclusive promotional space in the 15 SES shopping centers in Austria, to the best implemented business ideas in stationary retail via its yip.at digital initiative.

Steffen Eric Friedlein is Managing Director Leasing at ECE Marketplaces /// credit: ECE Marketplaces

THE FUNDAMENTAL CONDITION FOR SUCCESS IN RETAIL:  NO STANDSTILL.

Steffen Eric Friedlein is Managing Director Leasing Services at ECE Market places and, as such, is a member of the prestigious MAPIC Awards jury. In an interview with ACROSS, the manager talks about why positive examples are more important than ever, especially in economically challenging times, what constitutes outstanding performance in the retail real estate industry, and how he and his team implement the principle of excellence across the ECE portfolio.

credit: BALFIN Group

Publisher’s Recommendation: All (Western) Eyes on TEG and Albania

The Balkans remain largely overlooked in our industry, despite the region’s significant growth. I have always been keen on highlighting developments that go underappreciated but hold remarkable potential. The Tirana East Gate (TEG) in Albania is one such gem. Backed by the BALFIN GROUP, a highly successful and innovative developer, TEG is a standout that deserves attention for its promising role in shaping market trends in the region.

Left-to-right: Thomas Reichenauer, Managing Director at ROS Retail Outlet Shopping; Designer Outlet Algarve’s new plaza, center extension is opening in Summer 2025. /// credit: ROS Retail Outlet Shopping

ALL SIGNS POINT TO FURTHER GROWTH AT ROS RETAIL OUTLET SHOPPING

With the FREY Group as a new financially strong property partner providing robust support, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping is setting the stage for further growth and enhanced premium outlet shopping destinations across Europe. Major expansions at four centers and two new developments are set to be completed within two years.

Brendon O'Reilly, Managing Director of FASHION HOUSE Group (left), Outlet Centre Pallady in Bucharest, Romania (right). /// credit: FASHION HOUSE Group

WE STILL NEED MORE INVESTORS WHO UNDERSTAND OUR BUSINESS

Fashion House Group is the only outlet operator in Romania, and it benefits from a growing interest in international brands in Southeast Europe. In this interview with ACROSS, Brendon O’Reilly, Managing Director of Fashion House Group, explains how he wants to grow and expand with these brands.

Otto Ambagtsheer, Chief Executive Officer at VIA Outlets (left), Expansion of Landquart Fashion Outlet, Switzerland (right) /// credit: VIA Outlets

“OUR EXPANSION PROJECTS ARE KEY GROWTH ENABLERS.”

VIA Outlets is expanding at almost every one of its 11 premium fashion outlet locations across Europe, and strengthening the F&B offering is a priority, CEO Otto Ambagtsheer says. He’s confident that organic growth will continue to be the company’s mainstay, because there are very few acquisition opportunities on the market currently, but VIA Outlets will seize the chance to invest if the right M&A deal arises that fits with its business strategy. He added that expanding VIA Outlets’ omnichannel strategy is another key priority.

The pocket park aims to preserve the local ecosystem and enhance the area's role within it. /// credit: NEINVER

NEINVER UNVEILS POCKET PARK AT FACTORY POZNAŃ

FACTORY Poznań, managed by NEINVER, has officially opened a 2,000 sq m pocket park. This spectacular green space – complete with unique architectural elements – was designed and constructed in collaboration with landscape architects and biodiversity experts, part of the LIFE Archiclima project, a program funded by the European Union and the Polish National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

Antoine Frey, CEO of FREY (left), Thomas Reichenauer, Co-Founder and Managing Director of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping (right). /// credit: FREY, ROS

“WITHIN THE NEXT TEN YEARS, WE WANT TO BUILD TOGETHER ONE OF THE BEST EUROPEAN COMPANIES DEVELOPING, OWNING, AND MANAGING OUTLETS”

This summer, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping joined the French FREY Group to grow together in the outlet sector. In this interview, Antoine Frey, CEO of FREY, and Thomas Reichenauer, Co-Founder and Managing Director of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping, explain which values and visions both companies have in common, what plans they are pursuing, especially with their first project in Malmö, and why they feel particularly comfortable in the outlet and outdoor shopping sector in the long term.

Global Retail Attractiveness Index: New high in European retail markets

GRAI 3/2024 is driven by greater consumer confidence. The index compiled by Union Investment and GfK sees increased signs of recovery in eight European countries. The most significant increases are visible in Sweden and the Czech Republic, while overseas regions are stabilizing at a weak level.

Eduardo Ceballos is Asset Management Director at NEINVER. /// credit: NEINVER

NEINVER: 3 ANNIVERSARIES EQUALS 3 INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS STORIES

NEINVER is celebrating three anniversaries this year: 25 years of Getafe The Style Outlet in Spain and 20 years of Castel Guelfo and Vicolungo in Italy. All these centers are success stories. Their developments show that every center is individual and, when managed well, will develop its own success story. Nevertheless, Eduardo Ceballos, Asset Management Director at NEINVER, explains some common trends that every center should follow.

Mario Schwann is General Manager of Designer Outlet Parndorf. /// credit: McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Parndorf, Daniel Bointer

FROM BRAND DIVERSITY TO TOURISM MAGNET: DESIGNER OUTLET PARNDORF FOCUSES ON INNOVATION

As an innovative outlet format, Designer Outlet Parndorf is more than just a place to shop – it has become a place where shopping, catering, and tourism come together remarkably. How does an outlet stay relevant, attractive, and growing over the years? Designer Outlet Parndorf uses several key strategies to create a coherent overall picture.

Giles Membrey is Managing Director at Rioja Estates. /// credit: Rioja Estates

MEASURING SUCCESS IN THE OUTLET BUSINESS: “CONSUMERS WANT MORE THAN JUST GOODS”

When it comes to measuring success, outlets are undergoing a noticeable change, with a gradual shift away from traditional KPIs – such as sales per square meter – and towards a more comprehensive assessment. These days, the critical metric for success is no longer how much revenue a store generates, but how much of an “experience” it provides per square meter, explains Giles Membrey, Managing Director, Rioja Estates.

Justyna Bartosz is the Head of Leasing at NEPI Rockcastle. /// credit: NEPI Rockcastle

“CREATING PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ENJOY MEMORABLE MOMENTS TOGETHER – THAT IS THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE FOR ALL CHANGE AND INNOVATION.”

NEPI Rockcastle’s strong net operating income (NOI) growth of 13.5% in the first half of 2024 allowed the company to raise its forecast for full-year distributable earnings per share. Justyna Bartosz, the Group’s Head of Leasing, explains what makes the CEE’s retail and consumer world tick and why it is that NEPI Rockcastle and its tenants can’t pay enough attention to the buzzwords: experience, community building, and authenticity.

Bernd Albl is Managing Director Digital Solutions at umdasch The Store Makers. /// credit: umdasch

SUCCESS AT THE POINT OF SALE: MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS

Imagine walking into a store that plays your favorite music, makes personalized product recommendations based on your needs and desires, and even lets you try on products. Welcome to a new shopping experience. Bernd Albl, Managing Director Digital Solutions at umdasch The Store Makers, explains what these new possibilities look like.

Sebastian Guth is the Managing Director of 21Media. /// credit: 21Media

MARKETING CAN REDEFINE THE ROLE OF SHOPPING CENTERS IN A CHANGING RETAIL LANDSCAPE

The challenge is to transform the shopping center from a place of consumption to a world of experience that seamlessly combines leisure, entertainment, and shopping. In his guest article, Sebastian Guth, Managing Director of 21Media, explains the role of B2B and B2C marketing in the transition of brick-and-mortar retail and shopping centers.

With this store, P&C* Düsseldorf wants to create awareness for more sustainable fashion and positively influence the industry. /// credit: P&C* Düsseldorf

P&C DÜSSELDORF’S FIRST CONSCIOUS STORE: “NOT PERFECT, BUT BETTER EVERY DAY.”

Fashion company Peek & Cloppenburg* Düsseldorf opened the Conscious Fashion Store at The Playce Berlin in 2023. With this store, P&C* Düsseldorf wants to create awareness for more sustainable fashion and positively influence the industry. The company focuses on the corresponding design and direct exchange via panel discussions, workshops, or even on making the plants in the store particularly green. P&C’s Conscious Fashion Store exemplifies how even a large, international fashion chain can develop and integrate individual concepts that focus on experience. ACROSS spoke to Thimo Schwenzfeier, General Sales Manager of the Conscious Fashion Store at Peek & Cloppenburg Düsseldorf, about the idea.

credit: Rioja Estate/McArthurGlen/Hammerson

EUROPE HAS BECOME SATURATED, SO WHERE NEXT FOR OUTLETS?

In recent years, Europe has seen a proliferation of designer outlet malls, catering to savvy shoppers seeking luxury brands at discounted prices. However, the market in Europe is now showing signs of saturation, prompting developers and investors to look beyond traditional borders for new opportunities, says Giles Membrey, Managing Director, Rioja Estates. This shift is driven by various factors, including market maturity, consumer saturation, and the quest for untapped potential in emerging regions.

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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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