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Retail

Long-term leases and predictable returns are no longer the bedrock of retail real estate. In a post-pandemic world shaped by volatile consumer habits, economic uncertainty, and omnichannel disruption, landlords face a new reality: Tenants demand agility, landlords need security, and the lease itself has become a delicate balancing act. David Fuller-Watts, CEO of Kinexio, explains: From short-term pop-ups to turnover-based rents, the rules are being rewritten, and technology may be the key to turning risk into resilience.

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.

Square meters no longer define success in retail real estate, experience does. As consumer expectations shift from “places to shop” to “destinations worth visiting,” landlords must evolve into curators of ecosystems that blend retail, dining, leisure, sustainability, and digital innovation. From Lisbon’s UBBO shopping resort to Glasgow’s Silverburn community hub, Eurofund Group shows how future-proof assets are built: not by leasing space, but by creating experiences that make brands thrive, communities engage, and investments soar.

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.

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.

From yellow bins in Baden-Württemberg to Kaufland’s construction sites: the Schwarz Group is proving how waste can become a valuable resource. By applying cradle-to-cradle principles, the retailer is turning recyclables into building materials and redefining what sustainability in construction means.

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.

In an age in which digital dominates and foot traffic is harder to attract, retail spaces are being reimagined not just as places to shop, but as platforms for experience, education, and emotional connection. In her latest piece, Pınar Yalçınkaya, CEO of MPC Properties, explores how AI, sustainability, and creative activations are helping transform shopping centers across Serbia into vibrant hubs of relevance. From beekeeper suits and dinosaur replicas to podcast stages and robots that greet you by name, MPC is proving that future-proof retail is less about space and more about meaning.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, convenience is emerging as the key driver of success. Shoppers are increasingly drawn to brands that make buying products a quick and effortless experience, whether online or in-store. GlobalData’s latest research highlights which retailers are likely to gain the most in 2025

Berlin’s largest shopping centre, Gropius Passagen has just been acquired by Hayfin from Nuveen and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. The centre is a highly important retail destination in Neukölln, Berlin, Germany, with an approximately 95.000 sqm lettable space, around 150 tenants.

Poland’s retail parks have grown from outskirts experiments in the 1990s to over 290 large hubs nationwide. Changing consumer habits and investor confidence are turning them into versatile destinations beyond just convenience shopping. Investment market report created by Avison Young allow details insights into major trends through a comprehensive analysis.

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.

Recent calculations reveal that Mercadona has achieved significant success in the first eight months of 2025, taking the lead in the grocery sector of Spain. Capturing larger shopping baskets as well as a higher shopper penetration, are the main reasons behind Mercadona’s success.

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.