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SOLAL AWARDS 2025 WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT AN INNOVATIVE GALA EVENT IN WARSAW

The winners of the 2025 Solal Marketing Awards were announced at an outstanding gala event at fashionable leisure venue Fabryka Norblina in Warsaw. The live event was the first celebration of the most effective and innovative marketing campaigns in the shopping center industry since the pandemic. A record-number of entries in eleven distinct categories were received, with finalists joining the event from countries right across Europe, Canada and South Africa.

credit: Nepi

NEPI ROCKCASTLE SHOWCASES SHINING POTENTIAL OF ROARING BULGARIAN RETAIL MARKET AT RETAILERS DAY IN SOFIA

Bulgaria’s high-performing retail market was highlighted at NEPI Rockcastle’s third Retailers Day held recently in Sofia. More than 150 representatives from leading international retailers and industry partners gathered for a full day of insightful presentations on the Group’s new greenfield shopping centre project to be developed in the city of Plovdiv, international retail trends and global macroeconomic perspectives.

NO ROOM FOR MEDIOCRITY: HOW RETAIL POLARIZATION IS RESHAPING THE SHOPPING LANDSCAPE

A quiet but profound shift is transforming the retail industry across Europe: while luxury and discount segments thrive, many mid-tier retailers—once considered the backbone of the high street and shopping centers—are struggling to stay afloat. This growing polarization is not merely a passing trend; it is a structural shift that reflects changing consumer behaviors, economic realities, and the need for clear market positioning. But if you take a closer look, you will see that it is not the middle that is dying, but only mediocrity. What is emerging is a new middle ground between luxury and discount, determined by one thing alone: relevance.

credit: Takko Fashion

TAKKO FASHION: “WE DELIVER RELIABILITY FOR CUSTOMERS AND LANDLORDS”

The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, has shown retail real estate operators who is a reliable rental partner, says Oleg Krüger, Senior Director of Expansion at Takko Fashion. The discount fashion retailer is growing against the market trend and is pursuing ambitious growth targets. In an interview with ACROSS, Krüger explains the new role of discounters in European retail and how Takko is positioning itself strategically in a polarized retail landscape.

credit: SES

Modernization of Innsbruck’s (Austria) first city-center mall begins: SILLPARK to become more modern, brighter and healthier

The approval of the planning permission has paved the way for the large-scale modernization of SILLPARK Innsbruck, to be implemented by fall 2026 while the center operates as normal and without impacting shop opening times. The construction work on the mall began a few days ago, with no restrictions for visitors. SILLPARK, Innsbruck’s first city-center shopping mall, opened in 1990 and will now also gain a completely new health park. The investment of EUR 30 million will make SILLPARK the most modern location in Tyrol for socializing and shopping.

The renovated part of the KING CROSS building impresses with modern store concepts and the largest Decathlon store in Croatia. /// credit: KING CROSS Zagreb

KING CROSS Zagreb Opens State-Of-The-Art Mall

The renovation and modernization process at the KING CROSS Zagreb shopping center has reached a significant stage of development: on 27 February, the part of the mall that has been completely renovated and modernized in recent months while business operations continued reopened.

Credit: WESTFIELD SHOPPING CITY SÜD

Westfield Shopping City Süd, Austria: At Its Best, a Shopping Center Is People’s First Port of Call

Westfield Shopping City Süd has a clear mission: The center, located on the border of the Austrian capital of Vienna, will continue to be transformed into a true destination that expands its expertise in terms of brands, gastronomy, and entertainment while striving for the highest sustainability goals. Zsolt Juhasz, General Manager of Westfield Shopping City Süd, and his team have recently taken significant steps. At the same time, however, they still see potential for development, particularly in the area of service. In an interview with ACROSS, he explains how modern shopping center development can work successfully and why the most critical task will be to attract customers to centers in the first place.

“RETAIL REAL ESTATE WILL REMAIN A SIGNIFICANT PORTFOLIO COMPONENT OF FINANCIAL INVESTORS”

Retail real estate is back on the menu and continues to qualify as a significant portfolio component in the portfolios of institutional real estate investors, says Steffen Hofmann, Managing Partner at ambas. Even very large assets have proven eligible for transactions in the challenging investment market environment. Therefore, he is rather optimistic about the upcoming months. In this interview, he takes a look at the 2025 investment market.

credit: Inga Centres

Ingka Centres: Retail Is and Will Be the Core of What We Do!

“We are a growth-minded company,” states Vasco Santos, Global Sales & Leasing Director at Ingka Centres. The Scandinavian-rooted, globally active company operates in Europe, China, the US, and is establishing its presence in India. Its main goal is to create meeting places that go beyond shopping and provide real, meaningful value to the community. Despite the company’s success, especially in China, Santos expresses its continuous commitment and appetite for the European market but also stresses that the local market can learn a lot from international examples.

Jurij Triller, CEO of Smart Octopus Solutions.

Shopping Center Gift Cards: Personalization Meets Profitability

Jurij Triller is the CEO of Smart Octopus Solutions. Together with a co-founder, he has developed a smart gift card solution that offers a closed loop to customers and partners, unlike comparable products. He talks to ACROSS about the advantages of being independent from a major player like Visa or Mastercard, what data insights he can ensure as a result, and why personalization and customization are key.

credit: Eurofund

LEISURE IS HOW YOU GET PEOPLE TO SHOPPING PLACES – FOOD IS HOW YOU GET THEM TO STAY

Ian Sandford, President of Eurofund Group, creates places that combine shopping, gastronomy, and leisure, ensuring that everyone finds a reason to go to a center every day. He coined the term “shopping resort” as a result. After numerous very successful projects, particularly with Puerto Venecia in Spain and Ubbo in Lisbon, he is now bringing his idea of a shopping resort to the Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum in Germany. In this interview, he explains what managers can learn from goldfish and why courage is more crucial than ever. He also shares his plans for the Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum and his other assets.

credit: BALFIN Group

Publisher’s Recommendation: All (Western) Eyes on TEG and Albania

The Balkans remain largely overlooked in our industry, despite the region’s significant growth. I have always been keen on highlighting developments that go underappreciated but hold remarkable potential. The Tirana East Gate (TEG) in Albania is one such gem. Backed by the BALFIN GROUP, a highly successful and innovative developer, TEG is a standout that deserves attention for its promising role in shaping market trends in the region.

credit: BBE Retail Consultancy, WOW Concept

CUSTOMER HAPPINESS NEEDS TO BE REFLECTED IN TURNOVER FIGURES

True retail experience represents a major opportunity to inspire and retain customers when they visit a store – perhaps the only opportunity, says Dr. Johannes Berentzen, Managing Director of retail consultancy BBE. Yet, how can experience and, by extension, success be measured? In an interview with ACROSS, the strategy consultant talks, among other things, about how and why we need to rethink space in brick-and-mortar retail, which key figures we should question, and what role technology plays in the process. The underlying challenge: The successful implementation of good ideas requires creativity, entrepreneurial courage, and the necessary funds.

RETHINKING BRICK-AND MORTAR RETAIL IN ORDER TO REDEFINE SUCCESS IN RETAIL

In an era in which e-commerce has gained significant influence, brick-and-mortar retail faces various challenges. These challenges have created an opportunity to rethink and renew the conventional shopping experience. The Turkish retail world is one step ahead when it comes to experience-oriented retail. Turkish shopping centers and young brands, in particular, offer their customers products as well as experiences that go far beyond shopping. Many brands are bringing this philosophy to Europe as part of their expansion strategies.

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Shaping Spaces: Top Placemaking Projects of 2025
Across the globe, developers and architects are reimagining what it means to create “retail space.” The projects featured in this special edition, selected by leading industry experts, represent more than just successful developments; they are blueprints for the future of how we live, shop, and connect.
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