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To millennials and Gen Zers, wellness has become a daily, personalized practice rather than a set of occasional activities or purchases. McKinsey’s latest Future of Wellness survey finds that distinct consumer segments are catalyzing demand for goods and services in wellness subcategories.

Let’s take a quick glance beyond the borders of Europe, as many markets hold much more promise than we might think. As businesses contemplate the next steps in their growth strategies, the question arises: when will we see new store openings in countries like Iraq, vibrant dining establishments in Pakistan, and ventures marked with flags in Tanzania or Kenya? Furthermore, why do Bangladesh, India or Saudi Arabia often remain absent from many brands’ master development plans? After years spent in international development, attending countless business meetings and conferences, Will Odwarka, Founder and CEO of Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, presents a candid perspective on this matter: Our collective bias and judgment often deter us from exploring these promising markets.

SILLPARK in Innsbruck, Austria, is undergoing an extensive modernization and redesign process. Owner and operator SES Spar European Shopping Centers is investing more than 30 million euros in the major “SILLPARK 3.0” project, which, along with a comprehensive architectural upgrade, will focus on the construction of an innovative health park in cooperation with Vinzenz Gruppe Service.

In close collaboration with Westfield London, MK Illumination UK curated an immersive public art trail under MKxART’s debut project “HERE WE GLOW”, featuring two internationally acclaimed artists: Liz West (UK) and Angelo Bonello (Italy). By connecting Westfield with two of the most respected public art talents in Europe, MKxART helped to position the center as a cultural destination beyond retail.

In “Kämmerei”, Düsseldorf has a prime example of how retail space can be combined with other concepts in a sustainable way. The former administration building is being carefully revitalized by umdasch The Store Makers to become modern mix of office, retail, restaurant and event space.

To quicken the checkout process for shoppers, shopreme’s Scan and Go helps customers scan products conveniently on their smartphone and pay directly in the app.

With over 120 international and Polish fashion and lifestyle brands, a vibrant F&B offering and a prime urban location, Designer Outlet Kraków launched with a celebratory ceremony hosted by KG Group and ROS Retail Outlet Shopping—marking a significant milestone for premium outlet shopping in southern Poland.

Florentia Village Istanbul is Turkey’s first luxury designer outlet combined with a modern full price retail park creating a unique hybrid retail concept. Located next to Istanbul Airport, the outlet aims to set a new benchmark for retail, leisure and entertainment in the region through its scale, accessibility, attention to detail, service and innovative dual-concept structure.

Levi Strauss & Co. has entered into a definive agreement with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) to sell Dockers to Authentic for an initial transaction value of 275 million euros, with the potential to reach up to 345 million through a 70 million earnout opportunity in future years based on the performance of the Dockers business under Authentic’s ownership.

As Asia stands at a pivotal moment for sustainable development, Nordic Innovation was in the spotlight at EXPO 2025 Osaka, as well as SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025, with leaders and companies sharing ideas on how technology can make cities more livable, resilient, and sustainable. The events emphasized the importance of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles in shaping the future of urban development, from green infrastructure to inclusive economic growth.