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Search Results for: retail opinion – Page 3

“Quarters are not defined by their developers, but by those who use, work, and live in them”, stated Christoph Andexlinger, Chairman of ACSP, and CEO of the Austrian shopping center market leader SES, in his opening speech at this year´s congress, which focused on city and town quarters, while presenting not only new ideas, but bringing numerous examples of quarters in practice.

How far along are companies in the sustainable orientation of their proper ties? WISAG’s eleventh Sustainability Radar investigated this with its study entitled “EU taxonomy – Where does the real estate industry stand?” The result: property owners are calling for more concrete specifications.

Repurposing existing properties is a value-adding approach, benefiting both the capital market and users. Union Investment is changing direction for the better by considering the value chain holistically. Managing Director Henrike Waldburg explains the corporate positioning and why it is worth investing in transformation from a financial and social perspective.

The European shopping center market overvalues design and investment but needs to pay more attention to atmosphere, interaction, and service, says Will Odwarka. This hurts the centers and especially their gastronomy section. The founder and CEO of Dubai-based Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting explains in his conversation with ACROSS editor Reinhard Winiwarter why excellent, personable service is the prerequisite for everything in the field of gastronomy.

“The net to gross the proportion of tenanted space to the public realm is shifting,” states Ibrahim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Portland Design, in his discussion with Reinhard Winiwarter. Developers and asset owners of commercial spaces have no option but to rethink public spaces. But this changes everything and will require new skills to respond.

Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, believes that one of the biggest mistakes made in the last 15 years was not being able to seize and take advantage of opportunities during a crisis or difficult situation. He has worked in very different markets, with different stories and problems, but his general takeaway is clear: The investments and development plans of a company should never be stopped unless it is absolutely necessary.

Few changes have been as noticeable in business and society as the technological developments of the last 15 years. New platforms and digital ecosystems have opened up huge new global opportunities. Within the shopping center industry, a whole new segment has emerged: The Proptech sector. Peter Tonstad, CEO of Placewise, looks back, explains the most important developments, and reveals the biggest challenges facing retail real estate.

How would one summarize the last 15 years in retail real estate? Gregory Fonseca, Director of Architecture BDP, expresses it in one word: disruptive. He takes us on an instructive journey through 15 years of retail and retail architecture.

“In terms of energy management, technological applications will become a critical success factor when it comes to using lighting, cooling, and air conditioning efficiently and in a customer-oriented way,” states Silvio W. Kirchmair, CEO of umdasch The Store Makers and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board.

“While fear and worry try to constrict us, it should be courage that allows us to open up to new possibilities, that drives us and enables us to come up with new ideas and approaches”, states Thomas Mark, President of MK Illumination and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board.

“We believe in making the most of unused and underutilized spaces, ensuring that they can benefit and strengthen the entire fabric of the estate”, states Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO of VIA Outlets and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board.

“My recommendation is to seize any opportunity to take the next steps in digital evolution. For the placemaking industry, it is a transformation and not a situation where digital is outcompeting physical as many other industries have experienced”, states Peter Tonstad, CEO of Placewise Group and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board.

“The opportunities lie in the direct and sensual engagement of the customers, guests, and visitors via multifunctional spaces which do not just serve one particular purpose, but moreover offer a colorful range of themes, topics, and experiences related to the brand itself or beyond,” states Jonathan A. Calverley, Head of Retail Leasing at Art-Invest Real Estate Management.

“The revitalization of shopping centers, retail parks, and our city centers will become increasingly important. For many locations and properties, new retail and mixed-use concepts offer significant potential for enhancement”, states Angelus Bernreuther, Head of Investor Relationship Management at Kaufland.

“The forecast calls, such as a crystal ball reading, for bold personas that are willing to set a clear strategy and implement it even through stormy waters”, states Denis Cupic, Managing Partner at Redserve and F.O./Group.

“In physical placemaking, an attractive, active, well-functioning public or privately owned space can stimulate economic development in a community, from a small rural town to a city”, states Gregory Fonseca, Director of Architecture at BDP and member of the ACROSS Advisory Board.

“The greatest opportunities we should focus on are those that provide an Educational, as well as an Experiential component to them. Both these “E’s” are the foundational pieces on which to build real value”, states Chris Igwe, Global Retail Expert and President of Chris Igwe International and member of the ACROSS Advisory Board.

„Cost efficiency and transparency“ – according to Markus Schmut, these are the two big “drivers”, especially for the retail real estate industry in the coming year. We have spoken with Markus Schmut, the managing director of Fairmoney. Using a shopping center as an example of a case study, he shows us what is possible with efficient fixed cost management.