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Acquisition

Thomas Reichenauer, Co-Founder an Managing Director of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping (left); Designer Outlet Berlin, newly acquired by FREY and ROS (right). /// credit: ROS Retail Outlet Shopping

Acquisition of Designer Outlet Berlin: Strategic Step for FREY and ROS to Become European Market Leaders

With the acquisition of Designer Outlet Berlin just last week, and the upcoming opening of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping’s new location in Kraków, Poland, the current projects under ROS and FREY are a testament to their vision as well as the segment’s potential. In an interview with ACROSS, Thomas Reichenauer, Co-Founder and Managing Director of ROS, goes into detail about their current high-profile projects on the outlet market, where they see further potential, and the advantages brought by the merger between ROS and FREY as they aim to become the market leaders in Europe.

Recommended reading: A look at ‘Modern Retail Management’

With the book Modern Retail Management, Dr. Johannes B. Berentzen and Dr. Philipp Hoog present an outstanding collection that takes an in-depth look at the pressing issues of today’s – and tomorrow’s – retail landscape. Featuring 24 thought-provoking chapters by 36 leading experts, the book offers a rare blend of academic insight and practical guidance. From digital transformation and omnichannel strategy to sustainability and AI, this forward-looking volume equips readers with the tools and ideas needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving sector. Essential reading for anyone looking to shape the future of retail.

Samir Mane, President at BALFIN Group (right), with HyperActive at Pristina Mall, Kosovo. /// credit: BALFIN Group

BALFIN Group Acquires 40% Stake In Entertainment Hub HyperActive In Kosovo

BALFIN Group is diving into the world of family entertainment with its latest venture, “HyperActive,” a massive gaming and entertainment hub in Kosovo. As part of its expansion strategy, the Group has acquired a 40% stake in the company, setting the stage for significant growth in the region and across Europe.

credit: Zalando

Zalando Pushes Ahead With About You Takeover

Zalando has secured more than 90% of About You’s share capital excluding treasury shares and intends to carry out a squeeze-out of About You’s minority shareholders.

credit: McArthurGlen

Frey Accelerates Growth In And Through The Outlet Segment – also with the signing of Designer Outlet Center in Berlin

2024 was another year of solid growth for FREY with a profit from recurring operations going up by 28,1 percent and a sales growth of almost 29 percent to 191.3 million Euros. The growth of the specialist in open-air shopping centers has made this impressive growth step especially since entering the outlet market with the acquisition of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping. An important part of the expansion strategy is the signing of Designer Outlet Center in Berlin for 230 million Euros.

credit: NKD

German Discounter NKD Faces Store Chain Sell-Off

The struggling textile discounter NKD could soon be sold, affecting its international store network of around 2000+ stores around Europe, with more than half being located in Germany only.

Prada at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade. /// credit: Prada Group

Prada Group Reports 17% Net Revenue Growth In 2024

The Prada Group reports another year of remarkable results and solid progress, as high brand desirability and disciplined execution drove a positive trajectory on both revenue and margins. The Group’s net revenues grew by 17% to 5.4 billion euros at constant exchange rates compared to 2023, a well above-market performance marking four consecutive years of double-digit, like-for-like growth.

credit: Kaufland

TOP RULE OF KAUFLAND EXPANSION: THE QUALITY OF THE LOCATION IS DECISIVE

Kaufland’s success story is characterized by the balance between the advantages of standardization within a large group and regional integration. In an interview with ACROSS, Michael Hiese, Chief Real Estate Officer at Kaufland International, discusses the company’s growth strategy, his optimistic outlook, why location is more important than asset class, and what makes a Kaufland store truly distinctive.

“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.

“THERE IS A VIABLE SOLUTION FOR EVERY PROPERTY”

In an interview with ACROSS, Joachim Stumpf, Managing Director of BBE Holding and IPH Handelsimmobilien, analyzes the role of retail real estate in light of the current economic and social situation. His conclusion: “Advancing polarization is a key issue when it comes to discussing what options we have to counter the transformation in retail. Against that backdrop, we also need to rethink retail and locations. Despite all of the challenges, good and individual types of use can be found for all properties – but getting there can be painful.”

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.

Beaumont Leys shopping center, Leicester, UK. /// credit: Evolve Estates

EVOLVE ESTATES EXPANDS ITS PORTFOLIO BY ACQUIRING BEAUMONT LEYS SHOPPING CENTER IN LEICESTER IN A JOINT VENTURE WITH M CORE

Evolve Estates, part of commercial property and investment collective M Core, has acquired Beaumont Leys, a successful community shopping center in a high-growth suburb in Leicester. The 10-acre site is the dominant local retail offer within the area, serving a significant residential population of 670,000 people. The acquisition is a joint venture with M Core. 

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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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