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placemaking

Designer outlet shopping is no longer considered a niche retail format. It has become a resilient growth story within the global retail real estate sector. Combining premium brands with guaranteed year-round value – outlets typically offer 30–70% savings on merchandise – drawing in shoppers who are increasingly value-conscious but still aspire to purchase luxury and lifestyle labels.

With new international brand partners, a clear focus on sustainability, and high levels of investment, Designer Outlet Parndorf continues to assert itself as one of Europe’s leading shopping destinations. General Manager Mario Schwann, in an in-depth interview, discusses the success factors behind events such as the recent Late Night Shopping, the growing importance of tourism and gastronomy, and why “rightsizing” is sometimes more critical than larger store spaces.

Ibrahim Eker is the founder of CEEPlay, a company that has become known across Europe and beyond for its unique realizations of placemaking through innovative, architectural playgrounds. Collaborating closely with Carve, a design studio that is world-renowned for its groundbreaking work, CEEPlay has turned children’s playgrounds and public spaces into eye-catching landmarks that stimulate not only children, but the communities around them. In this in-depth conversation, he reflects on his journey, his design philosophy, the impact of play on urban environments, and the future of public space.

The retail market in Türkiye is undergoing radical change: There are fewer but stronger new store openings, record rents in Istanbul’s prime locations, and global brands positioning themselves alongside ambitious Turkish players expanding abroad. With steady demand fueled by tourism and projects such as Florentia Village and Tersane İstanbul redefining urban destinations, 2025 has been all about selective growth, seamless customer touchpoints, and retail at the heart of city life.

FREY Group has transformed the retail landscape with its open-air Shopping Promenades, and now it is venturing boldly into the outlet sector. In this exclusive interview, Chairman & CEO Antoine Frey explains why the acquisition of ROS was pivotal, how cultural placemaking and B Corp sustainability guide the company’s vision, and why projects like Malmö Designer Village and Designer Outlet Berlin are setting new standards across Europe.

Silverburn, the leading prime retail and leisure asset located in Glasgow, owned by Henderson Park and managed by Eurofund Group, has further expanded its growing F&B offer with the recent signing of Wingstop UK.

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.

VIA Outlets, owner-operator of 11 premium fashion outlet centres across Europe, is proud to announce its exceptional results in the 2025 GRESB Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark report. Not only has the group reached its highest ever score of 98/100, but it also achieved a 5-Star rating for the sixth consecutive year and was placed 1st in the ‘European Retail’ category.

As cities across Europe grapple with the challenges of climate change, shifting consumer behavior, and evolving urban needs, Redevco is positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable transformation. In the DACH region, we are demonstrating how a dual focus on ESG-led redevelopment and strategic tenant diversification can future-proof real estate assets – creating long-term value for investors, tenants, and communities alike.

Transformation in lieu of new construction: Marco Gösling, Managing Director Business Unit Construction Solutions at umdasch The Store Makers, provides insight into the growing significance of general contracting, the challenges associated with renovating existing buildings, and why sustainability is no longer merely a trend. Projects such as the ”Kämmerei” in Düsseldorf and ”Le big TamTam” in Hamburg demonstrate how technical expertise, environmental awareness, and architectural quality go hand in hand.

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.

Serbia’s first lifestyle retail park, BIG Čačak, is now officially welcoming customers with 45 new stores and 500 parking spaces, offering a unique experience that combines shopping, gastronomy, and leisure.

The share of private consumption allocated to retail – rather than savings, services, or leisure – continues to decline across the European Union. In 2024, this trend persisted for the third consecutive year, with EU citizens spending just 32.6 percent of their disposable income in retail. Croatia recorded the highest share, with nearly every second euro spent in retail. These insights come from a new, free study published today by NIQ Geomarketing, offering a comprehensive overview of retail trends across Europe.

Retail and tourism are merging, as malls transform into destinations where visitors seek experiences, not just products. From Dubai Mall to Mall of America, the world’s shopping centers are reinventing themselves with entertainment, digital services, and personalized journeys. With innovations like SmartGifty, even regional players such as BTC City Ljubljana are proving how digital gift cards, loyalty programs, and smart platforms can turn retail hubs into tourist magnets. The future of shopping is experiential, digital, and sustainable. And it’s already here.

The Vienna-based company CC Real is today among the most significant, albeit so far relatively low-profile, players in the European retail real estate market. In an interview with ACROSS, founders Fabian Kaufmann and Sven Vorih, describe the journey from their beginnings in Croatia to their current expansion strategies in Europe and Australia. The discussion covers experiences in times of crisis, strategic partnerships, refurbishment successes, and the question of why CC Real still firmly believes in the future of retail.

“When the tenant thrives, the asset survives” is an old saying in retail real estate leasing management. But survival is only the baseline – the ambition must go further. Not just to “survive” – the asset should “fly.” But what will it take in 2025 for an asset to take off? For this cover story, we asked leading figures in the European retail real estate sector what they see as the most significant current challenges, as well as the solutions needed, for retail assets not just to survive but to prosper.

KiK is set to close up to 400 of almost 2,400 locations in Germany, following reviews that mapped out the economically underperforming areas. However, existing markets abroad and domestically will continue receiving investments.

Having worked with the company for 6 years, Or Ackerman will now as CEO of G City Europe. With his experience and esteemed qualifications such as CPA and MBA with specialization in financial management, Ackerman will oversee G City Europe’s next chapter on the Polish Market.

After just 15 months, the optimistic venture of Le Big TamTam in the Hanseviertel Hamburg, Germany, has come to an abrupt halt. The food court, launched in July 2024 with the promise of transforming a neglected basement rotunda into a vibrant gastronomic destination, is now closed, at least temporarily, as the management reassesses the concept.

Urban Outfitters has opened a new 745 sq m store in Metrocentre’s Red Mall, joining Zara, Mango, and Stradivarius after a record-breaking summer for fashion sales. The latest addition reinforces the centre’s status as the North East’s go-to destination for global brands.