Advertisement
Facebook Linkedin Rss
ACROSS

Search Results for: retail leisure

Westfield-Hamburg-Überseequartier. /// credit: moka-studio, URW

Opening of Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier on April 25, 2024: Letting rate for retail, dining and leisure area now at almost 90 percent

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) announces the grand opening date of April 25, 2024 for the mixed-use quarter in Hamburg’s HafenCity. This will mark the peak of the project development and give the city of Hamburg a new vibrant location in the heart of HafenCity – a new piece of the city that dynamically combines all aspects of life such as living, working and leisure.

Credit: CLOSTERMANN DESIGN LTD

LEISURE AREAS IN SHOPPING MALLS: TRANSFORMING RETAIL SPACES INTO EXPERIENTIAL DESTINATIONS

Shopping Malls in the USA, Middle East, and Asia are not just places to shop but have emerged as epicenters of social interaction, thrill, and recreation. Europe is on the brink of embracing this trend, says Matthias Clostermann, Owner and General Manager at Clostermann Design. Therefore, malls across the continent are inching towards becoming entertainment hubs. But there is still a lot of hesitation.

credit: London’s Islington Square

Cain signs two independent retail and leisure brands at London’s Islington Square

Cain International has agreed two new leases with independents at its mixed-use Islington Square development. Between them, The Bottle Cocktail Shop and Treat Medispa will take 130 sq m in the north London destination as it continues to attract independent brands, with the retail and leisure space now approaching being 90% let.

AG Real Estate develops leisure centres in its Retail portfolio

AG Real Estate has confirmed the diversification of its commercial offer in the heart of the shopping centres it owns and manages. Several new leisure projects, with nearly 10,000m2 floorspace in all, will be added to the retail offer already present in the malls of its portfolio, thus offering a mix that meets the new customers’ needs.

Retail is leisure and leisure is retail

I’m with my theleisureway colleagues, Pablo and Carlos, in a place in the old center of Zaragoza. It’s a tapas bar, I confess, but I might justify it by saying that it would tick a lot of boxes as one of Ray Oldenburg’s “Great Good Places.”

Retailing at your leisure

We know that as consumer habits in the UK and beyond evolve, our customers no longer see leisure, shopping and dining as completely distinct activities. And they’ll also not think twice about switching back and forth between online and offline channels to explore, share ideas or buy.

Credit: ACREM

Shaping Retail in Albania: QTU Celebrates 20th Anniversary

QTU, Albania’s first shopping center, marks its 20th anniversary – celebrating two decades of redefining retail, leisure, and family experiences. The milestone highlights a story of innovation, customer loyalty, and strong emotional connection. Its month-long anniversary campaign drew record footfall and reinforced QTU’s position as Albania’s most established and future-ready shopping destination.

Credit: umdasch

EXPERIENCE TRUMPS SPACE: WHY RETAIL REAL ESTATE NOW NEEDS TO OFFER MORE THAN SQUARE METERAGE

The traditional formula of “square meters times footfall” has become less and less relevant. Silvio Kirchmair, CEO of umdasch The Store Makers, explains why retail properties today need to be places that offer experiences, partnerships, and pleasant atmospheres to survive the retail revolution. Away from pure space and toward lively, multi-functional locations – that’s how brick-and-mortar retail can make a comeback.

Credit: MK Illumination

EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE OVER SQUARE METERS: HOW LIGHTING, IDENTITY, AND STORYTELLING MAKE RETAIL REAL ESTATE FUTURE-PROOF

In a world where square meters no longer guarantee success, Thomas Mark, President of MK Illumination Group, argues that the future of retail lies in how spaces make us feel. From safety to storytelling, light plays a pivotal role in transforming commercial real estate into places of belonging, optimism, and human connection. As retail shifts from transaction to transformation, emotionally intelligent design is becoming a strategic necessity not just to attract visitors but to inspire loyalty, community, and lasting value.

credit: Eurofund

EXPERIENCE BEATS SPACE: THE NEW DRIVERS OF RETAIL REAL ESTATE

Square meters no longer define success in retail real estate, experience does. As consumer expectations shift from “places to shop” to “destinations worth visiting,” landlords must evolve into curators of ecosystems that blend retail, dining, leisure, sustainability, and digital innovation. From Lisbon’s UBBO shopping resort to Glasgow’s Silverburn community hub, Eurofund Group shows how future-proof assets are built: not by leasing space, but by creating experiences that make brands thrive, communities engage, and investments soar.

credit: NEPI Rockcastle

LANDLORDS CAN DO THE HEAVY LIFTING TO HELP RETAILERS REACH THEIR CLIMATE GOALS

While Central and Eastern Europe are experiencing rapid economic growth, the energy transition is still in its infancy. NEPI Rockcastle, the region’s retail real estate leader, is taking unprecedented steps to meet nearly half of its electricity needs via solar power by 2026. With a €110 million investment program stretching from Romania to Poland, the company is not only supporting the sustainability of its tenants but is also reshaping the CEE energy landscape itself. In a sector in which climate targets often lag behind, NEPI Rockcastle is proving that green retail is not only possible but also profitable.

credit: SmartGifty

When Shopping Becomes an Experience: Smart Retail Destinations

Retail and tourism are merging, as malls transform into destinations where visitors seek experiences, not just products. From Dubai Mall to Mall of America, the world’s shopping centers are reinventing themselves with entertainment, digital services, and personalized journeys. With innovations like SmartGifty, even regional players such as BTC City Ljubljana are proving how digital gift cards, loyalty programs, and smart platforms can turn retail hubs into tourist magnets. The future of shopping is experiential, digital, and sustainable. And it’s already here.

credit: BIG CEE

BIG CEE to Open Serbia’s First Lifestyle Retail Park – BIG Čačak

BIG CEE will officially open Serbia’s first lifestyle retail park – BIG Čačak – on September 18. Covering 16,500 sq m and representing an investment of €25 million, the project introduces a diverse mix of well-known domestic and international brands, along with leisure and entertainment facilities designed for all generations.

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: 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.

credit: MEC

Galerie Troisdorf, Germany, Sets Course for the Future with Strategic Retail Focus

Following a strategic repositioning by MEC and Nuveen Real Estate, Galerie Troisdorf is embracing a retail-driven future. With key tenants like C&A and Müller reaffirming their commitment and newcomers such as NEW YORKER and a modern fitness studio joining the lineup, the shopping center strengthens its role as a central retail hub in the Rhineland region.

CEO PERSPECTIVES 2025 – When the Tenant Thrives, the Asset Flies
What will it take in 2025 for an asset to take off? For this special, we asked leading figures in the European retail real estate sector what they see as the most significant current challenges, as well as the solutions needed, for retail assets not just to survive but to prosper.
Go to Special