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Romania

Nest Retail Park in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania | © CBRE

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.

Left: Magnolia Park in Wrocław, Poland, Right: Marek Noetzel /// Credit: NEPI Rockcastle

NEPI ROCKCASTLE: “A STRONG GERMANY IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR REGION”

NEPI Rockcastle is on the path to growth: Its portfolio value is over €8 billion, net operating income has risen by 12%, and occupancy rates are close to 100%. In this interview, Marek Noetzel explains how the company has achieved such results despite geopolitical uncertainties, why retail parks are thriving while mega deals are stalling, and how photovoltaic and mixed-use projects are shaping the future of retail in CEE.

Credit: NEPI Rockcastle

NEPI Rockcastle to extend Promenada Mall Bucharest, Romania

The major development by NEPI Rockcastle, one of Europe’s industry leaders, is currently the CEE region’s largest retail project. The extension is underway and on schedule with an investmnet budget of approximately €300M and a grand opening planned for the first quarter of 2027.

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.

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.