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ACROSS

Search Results for: retail leisure – Page 2

credit: Redevco

THE EVOLVING RETAIL LANDSCAPE: NAVIGATING POLARIZATION THROUGH WELLBEING, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COMMUNITY

The retail landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, influenced by the increasing demand for health, well-being, and sustainability from both tenants and the wider community, alongside the growing polarization of the market. The most successful retail transformations are those that adapt to these dual forces by prioritizing the creation of healthy and sustainable environments, catering to a range of tenant and community needs. This necessitates a thorough understanding of their intricate interplay and a proactive approach to development and asset management.

NO ROOM FOR MEDIOCRITY: HOW RETAIL POLARIZATION IS RESHAPING THE SHOPPING LANDSCAPE

A quiet but profound shift is transforming the retail industry across Europe: while luxury and discount segments thrive, many mid-tier retailers—once considered the backbone of the high street and shopping centers—are struggling to stay afloat. This growing polarization is not merely a passing trend; it is a structural shift that reflects changing consumer behaviors, economic realities, and the need for clear market positioning. But if you take a closer look, you will see that it is not the middle that is dying, but only mediocrity. What is emerging is a new middle ground between luxury and discount, determined by one thing alone: relevance.

Image: 123RF

Shopping Centers Of Today Are Important Leisure Destinations

In addition to its function as a supplier to the population, retail is increasingly taking on the role of entertainment. Concepts built around customer experience and gastronomy are now essential components of shopping centers, shows the latest shopping center report on Germany from the EHI Retail Institute.

Marek Noetzel, COO of NEPI Rockcastle (left), Promenada Mall, Romania (right). /// credit: NEPI Rockcastle

MAJOR EXTENSION OF BUCHAREST’S PROMENADA MALL – A BIG VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE CEE ECONOMIES AND RETAIL MARKETS

NEPI Rockcastle is investing around 300 million euros in a 55,000 sq m GLA mixed-use (retail, offices, hotel) extension of the Promenada Mall in Bucharest and refurbishment of the existing shopping center. This represents by far the largest retail development currently underway across all Central and Eastern European markets and is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2026/early-2027.

Aerial view of the newly opened Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier. /// credit: BBE Retail Consultancy

BBE Retail Consultancy Highlights Risks Of Überseequartier For Hamburg’s City Center

Westfield Überseequartier in Hamburg’s HafenCity officially opened its doors on April 8. By combining retail and experience concepts, Überseequartier could become a tourism magnet and economic driver that will further strengthen Hamburg as a metropolis. However, this success is not guaranteed for Hamburg, as there is also the danger of a weakening of the city center.

Left-to-right: Castel Guelfo The Style Outlets in Bologna, Italy, and José María Escobar the Technical Director at NEINVER. /// credit: NEINVER

REVITALIZING RETAIL: NEINVER’S COMMITMENT TO MODERNIZING OUTLET CENTERS

Outlet centers are evolving to enhance customer experience, with renovations playing a key role in transforming shopping into a social experience. NEINVER, a leading outlet developer, investor, and operator, is actively advancing its plan to modernize the portfolio with refurbishments completed or underway across its Spanish and Italian portfolio. ACROSS spoke with José María Escobar, NEINVER’s Technical Director, to learn more about the latest and upcoming renovation projects.

“RETAIL REAL ESTATE WILL REMAIN A SIGNIFICANT PORTFOLIO COMPONENT OF FINANCIAL INVESTORS”

Retail real estate is back on the menu and continues to qualify as a significant portfolio component in the portfolios of institutional real estate investors, says Steffen Hofmann, Managing Partner at ambas. Even very large assets have proven eligible for transactions in the challenging investment market environment. Therefore, he is rather optimistic about the upcoming months. In this interview, he takes a look at the 2025 investment market.

credit: Inga Centres

Ingka Centres: Retail Is and Will Be the Core of What We Do!

“We are a growth-minded company,” states Vasco Santos, Global Sales & Leasing Director at Ingka Centres. The Scandinavian-rooted, globally active company operates in Europe, China, the US, and is establishing its presence in India. Its main goal is to create meeting places that go beyond shopping and provide real, meaningful value to the community. Despite the company’s success, especially in China, Santos expresses its continuous commitment and appetite for the European market but also stresses that the local market can learn a lot from international examples.

credit: Kinexio

The retail renaissance: A new approach

Over the past couple of years, it has become evident that retail is seeing a significant resurgence. This is across shopping centers, large destination indoor malls, and retail parks and outlets, explains Mark Bruce, Data & Insights Director at Mallcomm. While some may have dismissed the retail sector, others have recognized that despite some challenges, there is a great opportunity.

Left-to-right: The Playce exterior, Berlin, and The Alchemist restaurant and cocktail bar at The Playce. /// credit: Rory Gardiner, The Alchemist

RETAIL’S RENAISSANCE BY BROOKFIELD PROPERTIES: A NEW PURPOSE NEEDS A NEW EQUATION

Over the past decade, the retail landscape has undergone a seismic transformation redefining the very essence of the sector. Customers’ expectations of convenience, personalization, experience, community, and sustainability have changed dramatically. The purpose of physical stores is being redefined, with goods and products taking a backseat to experiences. Today, successful retail destinations are those that cultivate connection, joy, and community.

The Tirana East Gate (TEG) shopping center in Albania was conceived from the beginning as a flagship property and is constantly being developed as such. /// credit: ACREM

Mall Management à la TEG: “For Retailers We Offer More Than Shop Space – We Offer Possibilities In A Vibrant Market”

ACREM is the mall management company behind TEG (Tirana East Gate). The shopping center in Albania set a completely new standard regarding professionalism and efficiency, resulting in the Albanians not having to hide behind the Western industry giants in terms of footfall and catchment areas. ACROSS Management Director Reinhard Winiwarter discussed with Elda Hysenbelli, CEO at ACREM, and Joana Korimi, Head of Marketing at ACREM, what mall management and marketing à la TEG looks like, what their customers demand, and why some customers feel so comfortable in the center that they even get married there.

Retail Talk: Uncovering The REAL Issues Of Retail Real Estate — “We Need Shopping Experience To Be The Key Behind Every Decision Between Retailer, Operator, Landlord and Investor”

“We need something that is consistent between retailer, operator, landlord and investor, and can be the key behind every decision, and shopping experience is the obvious answer.” Our latest Retail Talk, “Uncovering the REAL Issues, Problems and Challenges of Retail Real Estate”, revealed that many of the retail industry’s current issues can only be tackled if first we solve the problems that stem from within, as skills such as leadership, fast adaptability to the changing market environment, courage, as well as mutual understanding during the decision-making process are necessary yet barely present in the industry.

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.

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: Mall Development MENA Forum

Mall Development MENA Forum 2024: Pioneering the Future of Retail in the MENA Region

The MENA region’s retail landscape is undergoing a transformative phase, with the mall industry projected to grow from USD 808.51 billion in 2024 to USD 1,401.32 billion by 2032. Against this dynamic backdrop, the inaugural Mall Development MENA Forum 2024 is set to take place from November 11-12, at the Le Meridian Hotel Dubai. This landmark event will bring together industry leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers to explore the future of mall development 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.

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.

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.
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