expert opinion

“A strategic approach such as expanding in non-retail vital services increases exposure to the local community and leads to new leases or lease extensions,” states Neil Churchill, Center Director of Festival Place, Basingstoke.

“Providing new experiences regularly is necessary to keep the visitors coming – they are always on the lookout to experience what they have not had before. We have to offer a full program with the excitement of the new, combined with the convenience of the known,” states Brigit Gerritse, Head of Research & Strategy at Redevco.

“Let’s grab the chance to change ‘current locations’ into ‘places for the people’,” states Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of RaRE Advise and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board.

“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.

“The reconstruction of Ukraine will be a unique opportunity to use the most revolutionary practices. It will be a unique chance for the placemaking industry for sure,” states Vitalii Boiko, CEO of Urban Experts and NAI Ukraine and Serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine.

“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 energy crisis provides the perfect opportunity for new ESG initiatives, and we are seeing this also through the sharp increase in requests Multi receives from clients to advise on ESG strategies”, states Steven Poelman, Co-CEO of Multi Corporation.

“In the eCommerce era, retail real estate must analyze its customers and campaigns to develop successful consumer digital journeys with AR experiences, the first stages of Metaverse”, states Markus Porvari, the President and CEO of HyperIn Inc.

“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.

“I would suggest an implementation of strategic creativity at the most senior leadership level of all businesses,” states Henrik Madsen, CEO of HMJ International.

“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.

“’Shop local’ is on the rise. People within communities tend to support local businesses, so the shop local movement will rise in its popularity even more”, states Grigory Pecherskiy, Managing Partner of ADG Group.

“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.