ACROSS: A LOT HAS HAPPENED AT EUROVEA SINCE THE OPENING OF THE EUROVEA EXPANSION IN THE SHOPPING CENTER AND THE ENTIRE EUROVEA CITY. FROM A LEASING AND RETAIL PERSPECTIVE, WHAT ARE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS?
KATARINA PAULE: Eurovea is a single, unified project, and we see no distinction between the original center and the new expansion. That being said, when we opened the second phase in May of last year, a few of our tenants were still finalizing their fitouts or waiting for approval from the authorities. Despite that, we are proud to have reached 95% occupancy, and this year, we have successfully renewed around 50 leases, reflecting the strength and stability of our operations. Our leasing pipeline remains dynamic, with a consistent flow of brands exiting and new ones entering. This fluidity ensures that Eurovea remains competitive and vibrant, offering fresh retail experiences for our customers while maintaining the trust of our partners and investors.
ACROSS: WHICH BRANDS ARE YOU PARTICULARLY PLEASED WITH?
PAULE: We’re thrilled with the performance of several key anchor tenants, particularly in sectors like fashion, cosmetics, and grocery, which continue to drive strong results. Notably, Peek & Cloppenburg and Halfprice are consistently excelling, reinforcing their positions as customer favorites. We’re also very excited about the recent launch of Notino, a beauty and health concept that has quickly gained traction and become a hit with our visitors. Another standout is Cinema City, which operates Slovakia’s largest cinema here at Eurovea. Their innovative VIP experience, featuring an exclusive all-you-can-eat offering and fully adjustable reclining seats, has elevated the entertainment standard to new heights.
ACROSS: HAVE THE SUCCESSFUL BRANDS BEGUN ASKING FOR NEW OR LARGER SPACES?
PAULE: While the expansion is still relatively new, at just 1.5 years, most tenants have selected store sizes that align perfectly with their current strategies. However, we have received interest from global players, such as Inditex, who are considering new long-term investments in Eurovea due to the center’s strong performance. While we’re exploring opportunities for expansion in certain sectors, the focus remains on providing the right space for each partner, rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all approach.
ACROSS: WHAT SHOPS CAN WE STILL EXPECT TO SEE THIS YEAR?
PAULE: Despite Bratislava being a highly saturated market, we’re proud to announce the addition of 20 new brands since September 2024. Noteworthy reopenings include Swarovski, Wellensteyn, Max Mara Weekend, and the opening of HEBE, which is making its market debut at Eurovea with a 700 sq m space. One of the most exciting additions is NEHERA, a renowned Czechoslovak premium brand. Although they are focused on the international market, particularly Asia, they have chosen Eurovea over other locations in Bratislava, showcasing the trust and prestige Eurovea has earned in the industry. Medicine will also strengthen our mid-range fashion offering, and, of course, the festive season will bring various pop-up stores, further enhancing our already diverse retail mix.
ACROSS: WHAT OTHER BRANDS ARE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR?
PAULE: While I can’t divulge too many details, I can share that we are close to finalizing an agreement with a leading sports fashion brand, which is due to re-enter the Slovak market. We’re observing growing interest from sports and lifestyle brands, and we’re carefully listening to customer demand. Smaller, premium services, such as a high-end bakeries, and specialty services, like dental care, are also on the rise. As always, our goal is to offer a curated selection of services that reflect the evolving preferences of our visitors.
ACROSS: THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT, ESPECIALLY OF YOUR FASHION SEGMENTS, REFUTES THE MANY REPORTS THAT RETAIL, AND FASHION RETAIL IN PARTICULAR, IS IN CRISIS.
PAULE: Retail has certainly faced challenges this year, particularly due to weather conditions, which impacted the fashion sector during the warm summer months. Premium and new brands were hit the hardest, but we’ve already seen an uptick in sales as the weather has cooled. Eurovea’s location and strategic tenant mix have helped us weather external market forces, such as the spending slump in the Czech market. Slovak consumers, however, continue to prioritize personal spending, and we’ve seen resilient demand in segments like premium fashion. One of the unexpected successes was the Gerry Weber brand, which decided to keep its boutique at Eurovea despite the closure of all its Austrian stores.
ACROSS: THAT’S QUITE A STATEMENT. EUROVEA IS ALSO VERY FAMOUS FOR ITS F&B OFFER.
PAULE: The exceptional location of Eurovea, close to the historic city center and on the banks of the Danube River, allows us to offer a unique F&B experience in Bratislava. Our culinary offerings range from fast food to premium dining along the riverside promenade, boasting the largest F&B selection in Slovakia. With the completion of the apartments in Slovakia’s first skyscraper and the arrival of new companies in the surrounding office buildings, we are attracting a new demographic of customers. Our F&B offerings are constantly evolving to meet their needs. For example, we are working on new breakfast concepts and, in collaboration with our marketing team, developing special loyalty programs.
THE ROLE OF EVENTS AT EUROVEA
For nearly 15 years, Eurovea has earned its reputation as a vibrant destination, thanks to the numerous events we organize for the public. One of the most cherished traditions is our lineup of running events, which includes the ČSOB Bratislava Marathon, Night Run, dm Women’s Run, and the Winter 10 km. Eurovea is also the proud host of both Slovak and international 3×3 basketball tournaments, the Strong Man competition, L’Étape Slovakia, fun zones for football and hockey World Cups, and our popular Morning Yoga sessions throughout the summer. Situated on the picturesque Danube embankment, Eurovea has become a cultural hub for Bratislava, with events that are deeply woven into the city’s social fabric. They include the White Night modern art festival, the Viva Musica! music festival, the Slovak National Theatre’s Summer Gala, and Shakespeare for Children, part of the renowned Summer Shakespeare Festival. Additionally, the modern circus festival Cirkul´Art has become a much-anticipated annual highlight.
This year, Eurovea celebrated the seventh edition of Eurovea Fashion Forward, the most stylish event in the city, which brings fashion from our boutiques directly to the catwalk. Over three days, visitors enjoyed 15 different shows. We also place great emphasis on creating memorable experiences for our youngest visitors, organizing weekly children’s events, alongside larger special occasions, such as the Football in the City tournament, Children’s Day, the End of School celebration, various e-gaming competitions, Halloween, and St. Nicholas Day festivities. Whether you’re a fan of sports, arts, gastronomy, or culture – or simply someone who enjoys spending time in an extraordinary environment – Eurovea has something for everyone. The variety of events we host each year truly sets us apart, making us more than just a shopping center. We offer a unique blend of entertainment and experiences that appeal to visitors of all ages and interests, ensuring that there’s always something new and exciting to discover at Eurovea.
ACROSS: YOU’VE ALREADY MENTIONED THE SUCCESS OF THE CINEMA. INDEED, THE CINEMA INDUSTRY’S COMEBACK IS EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE. WHAT’S THE STATUS OF YOUR OTHER LEISURE CONCEPTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN GENERAL?
PAULE: The importance of leisure and entertainment is undeniable, and we’re dedicating more space and resources to that sector. Cinema City remains a standout performer, and our outdoor areas allow us to host various sporting and cultural events. Inside the center, Adventica, a Lithuanian family entertainment concept, has made a strong debut with almost 2,000 sq m of space. Eurovea’s success is deeply rooted in its community-centric approach, and we continue to emphasize family-friendly concepts, which will remain a cornerstone of our strategy moving forward.
ACROSS: FINALLY, AS YOU’VE SAID, BRATISLAVA HAS AN EXTREMELY HIGH DENSITY OF SHOPPING CENTERS. WHAT IS YOUR UNIQUE SELLING POINT, AND WHAT IS YOUR MARKETING APPROACH IN THAT REGARD?
PAULE: Today, Eurovea is much more than just a place for shopping – it’s a space where people gather and spend their leisure time. At Eurovea, we focus on offering our visitors not only a wide range of shops and services, but also unforgettable experiences. By organizing events and building strategic partnerships and collaborations, we strive to create a unique and comprehensive experience that evokes emotions and leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.
Katarina Paule
Katarina Paule is the Leasing Manager at Eurovea
