Statement

In a retail landscape shaped by converging pressures – shifting consumer habits, selective brands, ESG demands, and digital integration – outlet centers are evolving from simple points of sale to strategic brand platforms. NEINVER CEO Daniel Losantos explains why tenant success is now the ultimate asset advantage and how a data-led, experience-driven approach can turn complexity into lasting performance.

“We are seeing a much greater focus being placed on delivering quantifiable, and measurable, social value progress within individual placemaking schemes,” states Andrew Sparrow, Director of Activate at Workman LLP, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“Great placemaking means rethinking investment, business and operating models,” states William Kistler, Founder and Managing Partner of UrbanOvation, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“There is a unique opportunity for those who stand out, pioneer innovative concepts and set trends,” states Romina Jenei, CEO of RegioPlan Consulting, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“Support smaller, local operators and artisan producers with more flexible spaces,” states Paulina Herrmann, Director at Coverpoint Foodservice Consulting, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“In the future, shopping centres will look different to how they do today, but if they lean into the change, they can be just as successful as they have been in the past,” states Thomas Mark, President of MK Illumination, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“Placemaking is the art of shaping a special destination and making an emotional connection with the visitor during his on-site experience,” states Steffen Hofmann, Managing Partner at ambas Real Estate GmbH, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“The outlet sector has demonstrated it has its eye firmly on the ball, as well as the capacity to anticipate, be agile, flexible and ready to meet whatever changes come next,” states Daniel Losantos, CEO of NEINVER, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“The fundamental change awaiting the Placemaking Industry is a shift towards exceptional agility and adaptability, driven by AI and ML,” states Markus Porvari, President and CEO at HyperIn, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“Opportunities will come if we develop strategies to change the rhythm of our assets, from a ‘shopping rhythm’ to a ‘community rhythm’,” states Ibrahim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Portland Design, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“ESG and digitalization are here to stay and will have a continuous and long-term impact on how retail real estate is operated,” states Angelus Bernreuther, Head of Investor Relationship Management at Kaufland, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board.

BWP Group has been appointed to deliver the integrated marketing remit for Frasers Plus Designer Outlet East Midlands.

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 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.

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.

F&B concepts that redefine placemaking — and why developers cannot ignore them anymore.

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.

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 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 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 Group appoints Dr. Christian Herbinger as CEO of its store construction division, succeeding Silvio Kirchmair effective January 2027.

Transaction represents largest acquisition in Couche-Tard history and establishes controlling position in one of Europe’s leading convenience and digital retail platforms.

Lindt will open a 330-square-meter flagship boutique at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier in Q4 2026.

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.

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.

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.

CECONOMY grew nine-month sales to €18.4 billion and adjusted EBIT to €342 million, driven by online growth and a summer AC boom.

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.

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 agreement with Erste Bank Croatia for City Center one Split, strengthening the capital structure of one of Croatia’s leading retail assets.

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 will take over as Managing Director of Primark in Germany and Austria effective August 1, 2026.

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.

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

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.