May 2026

Retail Park Update May 2026

The collection of the latest news and trends of the European retail park industry

Retail parks were long dismissed as the unglamorous fringe of retail real estate — functional, car-dependent, architecturally forgettable. Today, they are outperforming nearly every other format across Europe. This ACROSS Online Special examines how convenience became a competitive advantage, and why the industry’s former “ugly duckling” is now one of its most sought-after asset classes.

What was once seen as purely functional is quietly becoming one of the most resilient formats in retail real estate. Markus Brugger, Managing Director, and Sorin Scurtu, Executive Director Leasing, CC Real, share why retail parks are gaining ground – and what’s next.