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opinion

Reinhard Winiwarter, Publisher ACROSS

The End of the Middle: Why Price Is Beating Experience

Retail is not dying — it is polarizing. While the industry debates atmosphere and community, consumers are voting with their wallets. In uncertain times, price is the most powerful experience driver — and the middle of the market is paying the price.

Andrea Barnes, Head of Business Rates at Form Property | © Form Property

“A slow bleed for hospitality and retail”

The UK government plans to introduce new measures to deal with business rates from April this year. Andrea Barnes, Head of Business Rates at Form Property, believes that retailers, pubs and restaurants are quietly heading towards a business rates reckoning – and some won’t survive it.

"Outlook 2025" (left), Klaus Striebich (right). /// credit: ACROSS, Klaus Striebich

OUTLOOK 2025: “Stay In The Minds Of Customers”

“The greatest challenge for our industry in the following years will be to stay in the minds of customers on a permanent basis,” states Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of RaRE Advise, and Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the new “Outlook 2025” edition.

founder and publisher of ACROSS Magazine (left), and Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of RaRE Advise and Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board (right). /// credit: ACROSS, Klaus Striebich

NEVER STOP ADAPTING AND CONCENTRATING ON THE TOP PRIORITIES

As the year draws to a close, Reinhard Winiwarter, founder and publisher of ACROSS Magazine, and Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of RaRE Advise and Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board, pause to reflect on the retail real estate industry’s current state. Although 2024 has shown many positives, the two industry experts are concerned about one thing: the possibility that many industry players will not be able to keep up with the speed of change.

Redevelopment: Elisen Palais in Hamburg, Germany (left), Chris Fleetwood, Deputy COO Real Estate at Redevco (right). /// credit: Redevco

TECHNICAL INNOVATION BY BRANDS AND CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH LANDLORDS WILL DETERMINE WINNERS AND LOSERS IN RETAIL’S “SECULAR SHIFT”

“We are all aware of the seismic changes in the retail landscape in recent years that have affected both owners and occupiers”, says Chris Fleetwood, Deputy COO Real Estate at Redevco. Therefore, a combination of macroeconomic events, higher-for-longer interest rates and inflation, increased consumer awareness of their own environmental footprints and values, and the emergence of transformative technologies have created an ever more competitive environment.

Will Odwarka is the Founder and CEO of Dubai-based firm Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting. /// credit: Will Odwarka, ACROSS

Will´s F&B Insights: The Demystification Of F&B Operation

As an international F&B consultant, I am constantly confronted with statements like, “It’s not rocket science; how difficult can it be, or everyone can run a restaurant?” So I will use this column edition to embark on a little journey with you. We have already established that hospitality experiences are more important than ever. When I started in this industry, we thought 6% F&B was a good rate; now, we are running developments at 20%.

Outstanding European Placemaking Project recommended by Klaus Striebich Managing Director of RaRE Advise, and Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board. /// credit: ACROSS

Outstanding European Placemaking Projects: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Milano, Italy — Location With A ‘Wow Effect’ That Lasted For Generations

Our industry is strong and can achieve a lot. To emphasize this optimistic spirit, we want to showcase what our industry offers. Recommended by Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of RaRE Advise, and Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board, Milano´s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. is one of the many outstanding placemaking projects that drive the industry forward.

Forum Schwanthalerhöhe (left), Forum Hanau (right) /// credit: HBB

Sustainable Reorientation of Shopping Centers

Online retail continues to change the shopping landscape, and people have adapted their leisure behavior as a result of the pandemic. Consequently, the role of shopping centers needs to be rethought. Shopping centers are no longer straightforward “shopping machines”, but must prove themselves as sustainable and versatile community centers, argues HBB.

Cotswolds Designer Outlet in Tewkesbury, creating 12,635 sq m space for 56 new brands. /// credit: Realm

Outlet 3.0 – What’s in store?

Across the outlet market, we’ve started to see a growing number of brands, including Hugo Boss, Adidas, and Tommy Hilfiger, actively seeking larger retail spaces with a clear objective: to elevate and enrich the ‘flagship’ outlet in-store experience, explains Dan Mason is Managing Director Realm. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the UK’s first outlet center, and as we look ahead to the next decade for this resilient retail sector, what will be the defining trends of Outlet 3.0?

"Integrating new technology will be essential to revitalize shopping centers, ensuring they can tick the boxes that add up to future success." /// credit: Mallcomm

What will the mall of the future look like?

Technology will shape the shopping malls of the future, making them more efficient, customer-focused, and sustainable. David Fuller-Watts, CEO of Mallcomm, explains.

Sergio Jiménez, Marketing & IT Director at NEINVER /// credit: Neinver

Loyalty Schemes: A Win-Win For Brands And Customers

“One of the most surefire ways for management companies to optimize revenue for brands is to find ways to improve customer loyalty and to ensure both new and repeat visits,” states Sergio Jiménez, Marketing & IT Director at NEINVER.

Axel Despriet (left), Bistrita Retail Rark, Romania (center), and Bart Rabaey (right) /// credit: Mitiska REIM

The ongoing opportunity in retail parks

Many of the headwinds that have buffeted the global economy over the past 12 months remain very much at the forefront of investors’ minds. However, in tandem with this, investors like Mitiska REIM are also seeing a number of structural tailwinds in support of retail parks and wider convenience real estate.

Credit: Festival Place

MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND REMAINING CONNECTED TO THE EVER-CHANGING NEEDS OF CUSTOMERS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS IN TIMES OF CHANGE

As a center launched 20 years ago, Festival Place was originally designed for an era in which ‘big box’ retailers dominated. The demise of high street brands such as Debenhams and Topshop changed the landscape for retail landlords, while the breakneck pace of the e-commerce revolution and the subsequent impact of the Covid-19 pandemic have changed consumer behaviour irrevocably. The team behind Festival Place have responded with a renewed emphasis on the leisure offer, closer engagement with the local community and delivering a range of events and services that all serve to keep the center relevant and to drive continued footfall.

Left: Glasgow’s flagship Silverburn Shopping Center has an on-site management and operations team of 12 individuals. Credit: Silverburn. Right: Nick Hilton. Partner for Retail and Leisure at Workman. Credit: Workman

A SLICE OF THE UK RETAIL PIE OFFERS PLENTY TO CHEW ON

The prospect of getting a slice of UK retail is not without its risks, regardless of whether the bottom of the market has been hit in terms of shopping center investment. For many first-time buyers in this asset class, the time to focus on getting the basics right has come.

NEPI Rockcastle Secures €250 Million Green Loan from EBRD

NEPI Rockcastle has secured a €250 million green term loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, providing long-term financing for green investments across its Central and Eastern European portfolio.

Next commits to major investment at its Cribbs store, UK

Bath and Body Works is also set to open its first South West store after signing at Cribbs

BWP expands Frasers Plus remit with East Mids appointment

BWP Group has been appointed to deliver the integrated marketing remit for Frasers Plus Designer Outlet East Midlands.

Spotlight on Entertainment: ACSP Congress 2026 /// Vienna, Austria, 13.10.2026.

This year, the ACSP Congress 2026 installed by the Austrian Council of Shopping Places (ACSP) is returning to Vienna in October, with a special focus on experiential and entertainment offerings.

Time Out Brings Its Flagship Market Home to London

Time Out Market will open its first London location in 2028, transforming a landmark building at Piccadilly Circus into the global flagship of its growing food hall portfolio. The project underlines the increasing role of food, culture and entertainment in shaping successful urban destinations.

New Book by Ibrahim Ibrahim Explores the Next Evolution of Physical Retail

In his new book Culture Stores, Ibrahim Ibrahim and Koral Ibrahim argue that the future of physical retail lies not in transactions, but in creating places where people connect, participate and belong.

Bold moves, not replacement: F&B in placemaking

F&B concepts that redefine placemaking — and why developers cannot ignore them anymore.

A new model for saving local food businesses

Rather than opening new locations, Cuisyn and Haus der Bäcker are preserving restaurants and bakeries without succession plans. Their acquisition model safeguards jobs, local identity, and vibrant city centers.

The end of retail-only destinations

Homeira Amiri, co-founder of the think tank Future of the Guest Economy explores, how F&B is reshaping the value logic of shopping centers.

CC Real Expands Croatian Management Platform

CC Real has taken over the management of Avenue Mall Zagreb, further expanding its shopping center management platform in Croatia and highlighting the growing importance of specialized asset and property management across Central and Southeastern Europe.

BIG Poland acquires Grodzisk Sfera Park, expands to 13 properties

BIG Poland adds the 11,000 sqm Grodzisk Sfera Park retail park to its portfolio, marking its second asset in the Mazovia region and bringing total GLA to nearly 258,000 sqm.

Umdasch names new CEO for The Store Makers’ Division

Umdasch Group appoints Dr. Christian Herbinger as CEO of its store construction division, succeeding Silvio Kirchmair effective January 2027.

Canadian Couche-Tard to acquire majority stake in Żabka

Transaction represents largest acquisition in Couche-Tard history and establishes controlling position in one of Europe’s leading convenience and digital retail platforms.

Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier welcomes new Lindt flagship boutique

Lindt will open a 330-square-meter flagship boutique at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier in Q4 2026.

Anika Schmidt joins BBE Handelsberatung Management Board

With her international expertise in procurement, private label and assortment strategy, she brings valuable input for BBE’s clients and for the company’s strategic development.

NBMI & Sonae Sierra’s joint venture: Eight shopping centers acquired in Spain

Norges Bank Investment Management and Sonae Sierra have formed a joint venture, which has signed an agreement to acquire eight shopping centers in Spain, comprising more than 250,000 sqm of gross leasable area and a gross value of approximately EUR 1.5 billion.

Cafés surge as consumers trade down: Hospitality trends H1 2026

CACI found through its spend data that consumers are increasingly trading down from traditional restaurants in favor of coffee shops and food-to-go concepts, as ongoing cost pressures continue to shape spending habits.

Online growth & AC boom: CECONOMY lifts adjusted EBIT 22% in Nine Months

CECONOMY grew nine-month sales to €18.4 billion and adjusted EBIT to €342 million, driven by online growth and a summer AC boom.

Historic architecture and retail: Store design by Schwitzke & Partner

Following store projects across Germany, Roermond, and London, Schwitzke & Partner is supporting Kapten & Son’s European expansion with a new store on Amsterdam’s Kalverstraat.

Record €290 million refinancing for Westend, Hungary

Gránit Pólus Group has closed a €290 million green loan agreement to refinance the Westend complex, marking Hungary’s largest real estate refinancing transaction in five years.

CC Real Secures €130 million refinancing for City Center One Split

CC Real secures €130 million refinancing agreement with Erste Bank Croatia for City Center one Split, strengthening the capital structure of one of Croatia’s leading retail assets.

Frasers Group Builds Stake in Burberry

UK retail group Frasers Group has disclosed a 4.16% exposure to British luxury brand Burberry, continuing its strategy of building strategic investments across the fashion sector.

Daniel Schwarz to Head Primark’s Germany and Austria Operations

Daniel Schwarz will take over as Managing Director of Primark in Germany and Austria effective August 1, 2026.

New F&B concept in Vienna: imBrot – Der Sandwich Store

With the new snack bar concept imBrot – Der Sandwich Store on Vienna’s Wipplingerstraße, umdasch The Store Makers has created a brand world that puts the product front and centre without compromise.