Facebook Linkedin Rss

placemaking

From left to right: Mag. Christoph Andexlinger (SES CEO and EUROPARK Managing Director), Mag. Marcus Wild (SPAR Real Estate Director), Mag. Manuel Mayer (EUROPARK Center-Manager) with the Visual of the development /// Credit: Evatrifft

EUROPARK Salzburg begins Expansion ahead of 30th Anniversary

A major expansion is underway at EUROPARK Salzburg, Austria’s leading shopping destination. Construction preparations began in October on the site currently occupied by the parking area between EUROPARK and the SPAR headquarters in Taxham. The new extension will be built above the existing underground garage, with structural work scheduled to start in January 2026 – all without any disruption to ongoing operations at the center.

Left: Facade of Westfield SCS | Right: Portrait of Zsolt Juhasz /// Credit: Dragan Dok/SCS

Shopping, Playing, Enjoying: How SCS has positioned itself as one of Austria’s most modern Leisure & Retail Destination

Westfield Shopping City Süd (SCS) demonstrates what the future of shopping centers looks like: Top international brands, nationwide store premieres, and an expanded premium segment meet a new entertainment area featuring bowling lanes, escape rooms, karaoke, and arcade games. A culinary offering ranging from iconic US burgers to French bakery artistry and Thai brunch creations is added to the mix. The result: a destination that no longer only attracts people for shopping, but brings together visitors of all generations more often, for longer, and in more diverse ways – setting new benchmarks for footfall.

Alexander Otto wins award at MAPIC 2025 /// Credit: ECE

ECE CEO Alexander Otto receives Lifetime Award at MAPIC 2025

A special honor for Alexander Otto, CEO of the ECE Group: at this year’s MAPIC trade fair, Otto received the MAPIC Lifetime Award as a “Pioneer of Places” in recognition of his exceptional achievements and outstanding contribution to shaping and advancing the shopping center industry over the past three decades.

Westfield London /// Credit: Richard Hanson

Westfield London and Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier win awards at MAPIC 2025

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has been awarded two times at MAPIC 2025, Europe’s most prestigious retail real estate show, held each year in Cannes, France. Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier won Best Urban Regeneration Project and Westfield London was named the Most Influential Retail Property Project of the past 30 years.

Credit: MEC

Retail PIN: How Retail Real Estate creates Impact Today

Retail PIN, the German-based think tank for retail real estate, has published its new position paper, which explores how retail properties can generate impact today: economically, socially, and environmentally. The paper provides insights on management, leasing models, operations, and legal frameworks, offering a holistic perspective on the evolving retail property landscape.

Credit: © Westfield Donau Zentrum

50 Years of Westfield Donau Zentrum in Vienna: A Milestone Shaping the Future of Urban Retail

Vienna’s Westfield Donau Zentrum is celebrating its 50th anniversary under the motto “50 Years of Future – Shaping the Shopping Experience of Tomorrow.” Austria’s largest shopping and leisure destination is not only looking back at five decades of transformation but also forward, with a clear focus on innovation, sustainability, and urban quality of life.

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: ROS

THE RISE OF THE VILLAGE-STYLE OUTLET

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.

Credit: Daniel Bointner

“RIGHTSIZING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN UPSIZING”

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.

Credit: CEEPlay

DESIGNING PLAYFUL LANDMARKS AND TRANSFORMATIVE PUBLIC 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.

Credit: Alkaş & HAN Spaces

“TÜRKIYE’S RETAIL REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK FOR 2025”

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.

Credit: FREY

FROM PROMENADES TO OUTLETS: FREY’S BOLD PATH TO MARKET LEADERSHIP

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.

Wingstop UK Lands in Silverburn

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.

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.

Marta Hamarowicz appointed as Retail Leasing Manager in Poland for Adventum

Adventum appoints Marta Hamarowicz as Retail Leasing Manager in Poland, bringing over 20 years of retail, office and logistics experience to the role.

NEINVER names Vicente Muñoz Boza as new General Manager

NEINVER has appointed Vicente Muñoz Boza as the company’s new General Manager and a member of its Board of Directors. Daniel Losantos, a NEINVER shareholder, is leaving his position as Chief Executive Officer.

Oseyo opens largest-ever store at Eldon Square, UK

Oseyo has officially opened its largest store to date at Eldon Square, marking the Korean food and lifestyle retailer’s first location in the North East.

Westfield Rise launches in-mall audio advertising format

Westfield Rise is opening up a new creative format for brands: in-mall audio advertising.

Nhood and Usluga in strategic partnership for Orbis Center, Tirana

Nhood announces that it has been awarded the full asset services mandate for Orbis Center, one of the most significant next-generation retail projects currently under development in the Tirana metropolitan area, Albania

Activ-Group acquires shopping mall City Rondell, Germany

Activ-Group acquires City Rondell in Villingen-Schwenningen, the final asset from the insolvent Highstreet VIII fund, in a deal brokered by JLL.

Sephora continues UK growth with four store openings

Sephora is pressing its UK rollout, adding four locations across London and Scotland in Summer 2026.

Japanese Kitchen & Bar signs for Flagship London Location in Covent Garden

Shaftesbury Capital announced that KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar, the independently owned premium casual dining restaurant group, has signed for its first central London location in Covent Garden.

Christian Zimmermann joins the management board of IPH

IPH Gruppe has appointed Christian Zimmermann as Managing Director of IPH Marketing und Betriebsgesellschaft.

ALEXA Berlin cements its retail momentum

New brands, larger stores, and investment in the shopping experience underscore the location’s appeal for brick and mortar retail.

Report: Inditex in Talks Over Landmark P&C Properties

Peek & Cloppenburg is reportedly considering leasing several flagship city-center properties to Spain’s Inditex Group.

Galeria Reviews 33 Stores as Restructuring Continues

German department store chain Galeria has placed 33 of its 83 stores under review as part of its ongoing restructuring programme.

Lasting Brexit Impact on Wholesale

New data from JOOR illustrates how Brexit has reshaped cross-border wholesale between the UK and the European Union.

M Core announces expansion to Italy

M Core enters the Italian market with a major investment and acquired four retail destinations for c. €300 million.

SRI Association Expands Industry Coalition

The Sustainable Retail Index (SRI) Association, providing comprehensive insights on retailers’ sustainability, is gaining broader industry support.

Frasers Acquires Greaves Sports Brand

UK retail group Frasers Group has acquired the intellectual property of Scottish sports retailer Greaves Sports, according to a statement published by Greaves Sports.

EXPO REAL 2026 Introduces Infrastructure as New Focus Area

EXPO REAL is expanding its profile to include investable infrastructure. The event is also further developing its “Transform & Beyond” innovation platform.

MK Illumination Renews Partnership with RLI Connect Global

The 14-year long partnership has once again been prolonged.

German Logistics Rents Remain Largely Stable in H1 2026

Rents remained stable in most parts of Germany, Munich and Hamburg showed a strong momentum.

NEPI Rockcastle Expands Karolinka Shopping Center in Poland

NEPI Rockcastle continues portfolio optimization with expansion in Poland.

ECE Reports Strong Leasing Performance in H1 2026

ECE shopping centers report positive leasing results.

Romania’s Retail Sector Drives Investment Activity in Q2

Despite a complex macroeconomic and political landscape, the fundamentals of the Romanian retail market remain solid. This is reaffirmed by sustained developer appetite, the continued expansion of international brands, and the resilience of domestic consumption.

Waitrose arrives in Redevco’s Chelmer Village, UK

The letting underlines momentum across Redevco’s £518m UK retail park portfolio, which is now 96% let.

Vukile Enters Italian Retail Real Estate Market

Vukile Property Fund, has entered the Italian market, acquiring an inaugural €115m portfolio of three shopping centers. It has established Esperia Properties as its new Italian holding company.