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ACROSS

Interview

Photo: Malmö Designer Village | Portrait: Antoine Frey /// © FREY

“Discount is no longer Enough”

With FREY’s integration of ROS now complete, Antoine Frey, Chairman & CEO of the FREY Group, outlines how selective growth, placemaking, and sustainability will define the next chapter of Europe’s outlet sector. And his ambition to turn outlet visits into memorable commercial journeys.

From left to right: Star Mall Shenyang, China | Yurdaer Kahraman /// © FİBA Commercial Properties

Beyond the Ordinary: Gourmet Garden by FİBA CP in Shenyang

In a brief interview with ACROSS, Yurdaer Kahraman – CEO and Board Member of FİBA CP and member of the ACROSS Advisory Board – discusses the company’s brand new and innovative food court concept and dining experience now live at the Star Mall in Shenyang, China.

Roman Müller, Head of Investment Management Retail at Union Investment | © Union Investment

“Retail Is Investable Again”

In an exclusive ACROSS interview, Roman Müller, Head of Investment Management Retail at Union Investment, explains why early revaluation, operational strength, and disciplined positioning are driving renewed institutional interest in retail real estate — and why further concentration in the European retail market is inevitable.

Michael Hiese, Chief Real Estate Officer, Kaufland International /// © Kaufland

“Retail is returning to the cities”

Michael Hiese, Chief Real Estate Officer, Kaufland International, in an ACROSS interview on urban locations, integrated sites, and new opportunities and challenges for inner-city retail real estate operators.

Thinking it big: VIA Co-CEO and COO Julian Jäger (r.) and F&B Consultant Jonathan Doughty explain Vienna International Airport's future concept for the Food-Court at Terminal 3 | © Clemens Schleinzer

Vienna International Airport: From Transit Space to Culinary Destination

In this exclusive ACROSS interview, Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport, and F&B consultant Jonathan Doughty explain why Vienna Airport’s Terminal 3 southern expansion sets a new benchmark for food & beverage, experience design, and airport retail real estate strategy – an approach unique in the global airport landscape

Rüdiger Dany, CEO NEPI Rockcastle | © NEPI Rockcastle

“The Era of Easy Growth is Over”

As he prepares to leave the executive stage, Rüdiger Dany reflects in his interview with ACROSS on a career spanning post-war retail roots, multinational platforms, and the increasingly demanding realities of retail real estate.

Left: BIG Łubna, Right: Eran Levy /// Credit BIG CEE

BIG MOVES IN POLAND: TRANSFORMING RETAIL, ONE PARK AT A TIME

In Central and Eastern Europe, BIG has pursued a dual-track strategy: building a strong footprint in the Balkans via BIG CEE, and entering Poland only three years ago. Within this short period, the Polish arm has grown to a portfolio of 10 operating retail parks, with three more in development, making it one of the fastest-growing players in the country. To understand how BIG managed such rapid expansion in one of Europe’s most competitive retail markets, we spoke with Eran Levy, Chief Operating Executive of BIG Poland.

Credit /// Left: ambas; Right: Union Investment

M&A, EXPANSION, AND RESILIENCE: THE FORCES SHAPING EUROPE’S SHOPPING DESTINATIONS

In the retail real estate sector, bold moves are reshaping the European landscape. Recent landmark transactions, including FREY/ROS, Sonae Sierra, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, signal the start of a new investment cycle. At the same time, several companies are embarking on remarkable expansion journeys, positioning themselves for long-term growth. In this interview, Steffen Hofmann, Managing Partner at ambas, explains why now is the right moment to “think big”, what drives corporate M&A strategies in retail, and how these shifts are redefining market opportunities across Europe.

CC REAL’S GASTRONOMY STRATEGY: “HANDS-ON MANAGEMENT INSTEAD OF STANDARD SOLUTIONS”

Gastronomy is no longer just a side element, but a key factor for the attractiveness and dwell time of shopping centers. At CC Real, F&B, therefore, has a permanent place in the expansion and repositioning strategy. Why culinary diversity is a matter for top management, which trends they consistently embrace, and why courage, hands-on management, and individual concepts make the difference: Those are the topics discussed by Markus Brugger, Managing Director Asset Management, and Sorin Scurtu, Executive Director Leasing. Despite their enthusiasm for gastronomy, the managers have a clear message: Well-executed gastronomy is a differentiating factor, but not a universal remedy.

Credit: Trinity Capital

“OUTLET VILLAGE SOFIA WILL SET NEW STANDARDS IN BULGARIA”

Outlet Village Sofia: Bulgaria’s First Open-Air Outlet Concept Breaks Ground: Strategically positioned at the gateway to Sofia, right at the junction of one of Bulgaria’s two main highways, Outlet Village Sofia is set to redefine shopping in the region. Benefiting from the constant traffic of international travelers passing the capital and domestic tourists on the move, the project promises a steady stream of diverse shoppers. An interview with Ivan Nachkov, COO of Trinity Capital, and Simona Parvanova, Director of Leasing & Marketing, on the latest plans and developments at Trinity Capital.

credit: NEPI Rockcastle

LANDLORDS CAN DO THE HEAVY LIFTING TO HELP RETAILERS REACH THEIR CLIMATE GOALS

While Central and Eastern Europe are experiencing rapid economic growth, the energy transition is still in its infancy. NEPI Rockcastle, the region’s retail real estate leader, is taking unprecedented steps to meet nearly half of its electricity needs via solar power by 2026. With a €110 million investment program stretching from Romania to Poland, the company is not only supporting the sustainability of its tenants but is also reshaping the CEE energy landscape itself. In a sector in which climate targets often lag behind, NEPI Rockcastle is proving that green retail is not only possible but also profitable.

credit: MEC

“IF YOU WANT TO SHAPE THE FUTURE, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF THINGS”

MEC’s new Business & Project Development department underscores its commitment to the future of retail real estate. Instead of pure administration, the focus is now on holistic location development – strategic, practical, and market-oriented. Head of the unit, Jörg Wege, explains how vision meets everyday business, why hands-on expertise matters, and how this drives MEC’s growth.

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.

Design of Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet's extension in Portugal (left), and Johan Caspar Bergenthal, COO and member of the Executive Board at VIA Outlets (right). /// credit: VIA Outlets

“PERFORMANCE IS THE DECIDING FACTOR FOR OUR LEASING STRATEGY”

The focus is always on the success that can be achieved together: Johan Caspar Bergenthal spoke with ACROSS Magazine about the success factors driving VIA Outlets and the industry in general. In addition to the consistent growth generated by VIA Outlets’ 3R strategy, the former shopping center industry executive cites the close collaboration with brands, something he hadn’t experienced before during his time in the full-price retail world.

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.

Elke Moebius, Director EuroCIS at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH (left), EuroCIS 2024 (right). /// credit: Messe Düsseldorf, C. Tillmann

EuroCIS 2025: The Most Important Trends And Innovations For The Retail Sector

EuroCIS 2025 in Düsseldorf promises pioneering innovations for the retail sector under the motto “Go Beyond Today”. The focus will be on topics such as artificial intelligence, smart stores and cybersecurity in order to make the retail sector safer and more efficient. Visitors can look forward to the latest technologies, exciting presentations and international exhibitors. In an interview, Elke Moebius, Director EuroCis at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, provides exciting insights into the focal points of this year’s event.

Premier Outlet Centre, Budapest, Hungary (left); Giles Membrey, Managing Director of Rioja Estates Ltd and member of the ACROSS Advisory Board (right). /// credit: Rioja Estates, Premier Outlet Centre

“CO-OPERATION BETWEEN ALL STAKEHOLDERS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WHEN IT COMES TO OUTLETS.”

The European outlet market is saturated; there are only a few white spaces. Rioja Estates is one of the most experienced European pre-developers and, as such, the first authority to decide whether a location can work. Together with ACROSS publisher Reinhard Winiwarter, Giles Membrey examines the outlet market in 2024 and explains why all players should urgently address technology, which markets in Europe still have potential, and how his company’s focus areas are changing.

Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle (left), Magnolia Park shopping center in Wroclaw, Poland (right). /// credit: NEPI Rockcastle

“GO INTO THE MARKET AND BUY NOW”

Well deserved honor: Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, received the lifetime achievement award at the prestigious 19th SEE Property Awards. This prize recognizes and celebrates Rüdiger Dany’s incredible 30-year career and his invaluable contribution to the real estate industry. In 2024, he continued to write his personal success story and that of NEPI Rockcastle. Probably no other company performed as well as NEPI in 2024. Reason enough to talk to Rüdiger Dany about the highlights of his company as well as current developments and challenges.

A year and a half since the opening of the expansion, Eurovea shopping center has reached 95% occupancy, and has successfully renewed around 50 leases this year. /// credit: Eurovea

EUROVEA: HOW TO CREATE A UNIQUE SHOPPING CENTER ON A SATURATED MARKET

Exciting new leasing partners and new openings further cement Eurovea’s position as the most innovative and highest-quality shopping center in Bratislava. In an interview with ACROSS, Leasing Manager Katarina Paule talks about what it takes to prevail in a competitive market like Bratislava, why Eurovea offers the ideal market entry, why F&B and leisure, in particular, are influenced by the entire Eurovea City, and why it’s ultimately all about the community.

In January 2023, Sonae Sierra announced a further step in its growth in Italy by signing a partnership with Chorus Life for the leasing of the retail space of the new “City of the Future” model, developed by the POLIFIN Group and built by COSTIM. /// credit: Sonae Sierra

“THE GREATEST NEED IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TODAY IS ADAPTABILITY”

“Across all markets, we are seeing that retail has remained a resilient and thriving sector,” explains Cristina Santos, Executive Director Property Management at Sonae Sierra. More than almost any other European company, Sonae Sierra is strategically diversified across several regions and adapts to the specific requirements of each. The company has extensive experience with its own properties and has increasingly used that knowledge as a cornerstone of its approach to manage third-party properties.

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.