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The annually conducted RegioData purchasing power analysis reveals significant differences in the development of wealth levels among European countries. Despite these disparities, it can be observed that the inhabitants of all European countries on average have more financial resources available today than they did five years ago.

Consumers in Europe continue to be affected by various crises. After inflation peaked in 2022, 2023 was characterized by an adjustment to the increased cost of living. Additionally, the multiple global crises and the loss of purchasing power caused uncertainty, which led to concerns and a change in consumer behavior.

Marketing is under pressure: While customer behavior is constantly changing, new channels are continually being added, and budgets tend to shrink, marketing managers need to be more innovative than ever. Diamonds are created under pressure, but pressure also causes errors. Across brought together two European marketing experts, Sebastian Guth (Managing Director of 21Media) and Charlotte Andersen (Marketing Director at Rødovre Centrum), to discuss the role of marketing, error culture, shrinking budgets, and working with landlords.

The most difficult times are behind us and retail has proven to be resilient, states MAPIC Director Francesco Pupillo. As such, this year’s MAPIC will once again be clearly focused on matchmaking and brands – especially dynamic brands that are part of experiential retail.

The ultimate goal is for travelers to be able to spend their stay as pleasantly and individually as possible. As a result of this prioritization, airports are increasingly becoming destinations themselves, says Michael Ripfl. Ripfl has been working for umdasch The Store Makers in the field of travel retail, for three decades and has recently developed concepts for some of the largest and most innovative airports in the Middle East. In an interview with ACROSS, he elaborates on the lessons learned from the pandemic, current trends, why retail is shaping the design of modern airports, and what the shopping industry can learn from travel retail.

Parndorf is a great example of how tourism is increasingly linked to shopping. This summer, Designer Outlet Parndorf will again come up with special campaigns and attractions to create a special summer vacation feeling for the whole family. Mario Schwann, General Manager of Designer Outlet Parndorf, expects the record year 2023 to be outperformed again, with strong tourism figures from Austria, cross borders and the EU contributing to this – Non-EU-tourism performance is also showing a positive trend.

Kaufland is continuing its expansion tour in Europe. Revitalizations are playing an increasingly central role in this. The integration of existing retail locations and modernization has recently increased compared to the construction of new buildings. Furthermore, the latest example in Sofia shows the role that the interaction between tourism and retail can play for a location. With the revitalization of the Central Market Hall in Sofia, Kaufland is not only reviving an architecturally unique location but also a tourist magnet.

In the ever-evolving hotel industry, there is one category that really stands out – hotels, explains Will Odwarka, Founder and CEO of Dubai-based Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting. The hotel landscape is changing on a global scale as hotels seek to attract and cater to a more diverse and international clientele with their F&B and retail offerings. It is a fact: Hotels, gastronomy, and retail go together.

The commercial benefits of accommodating multiple uses in one development are clear: If the offer and environment are tailored correctly, footfall – and therefore turnover and rents – can be increased. Nevertheless, there is a great reluctance to create true mixed-use developments due to the inability to truly understand the different requirements of different user groups, according to a joint report by Pragma and Benoy.

In recent years, the intertwining of retail and hospitality has emerged as a crucial factor in the attractiveness of destinations. By integrating shopping opportunities with accommodation options, innovative concepts are created that offer unique experiences for tourists and locals. Thomas Mark, President of MK Illumination, explains how recent developments have set new standards for retailtainment.

“Development in the future can only be a win-win-win situation, if you can tighten the building, and make it more profitable on the space per sq m” – Making use of the available space as efficiently as possible is one of the key components of a successful retail-hotel synergy. The latest ACROSS Retail Talk, “Retail and the Hotel industry” sheds light on the relationship between Retail and Hotel, and how they might profit from each other, with the high-caliber panel concluding: Combining the retail and hotel sectors works best if the market and demand for it is clear, and if the best possible partners are sought out, especially on a local level.

It is beneficial for real estate developers, investors, retailers and hoteliers alike to explore the potential for collaboration between the retail and hotel sectors, explains Lars Jähnichen, CEO of IPH Group. Some players have already shown how one can benefit from the growth of the other. “Das Gerber” in Stuttgart is an excellent example of the successful revitalization of a former single-use shopping center in the midst of ongoing operations. Today, it features 11 different types of use under one roof – including a hotel.

Shopping centers and hotels have increasingly become complementary assets that together, particularly in city-center locations, form a mutually reinforcing symbiosis. Both asset classes are characterized by a variety of offers, service qualities, and experience factors. When combined, the result is an even better mix of uses and, therefore, a win-win situation for everyone involved, explains Torsten Kuttig, Director Hotel Development at ECE Work & Live.

“Artificial intelligence, or AI, is everywhere don’t you agree? From healthcare to finance to retail, businesses are harnessing the power of AI to drive innovation, optimize processes, and improve customer experience. But despite the widespread use of AI, many businesses are still hesitant to fully embrace it,” states Will Odwarka, Founder and CEO of Dubai-based firm Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting.

Three years after the coronavirus pandemic, people are traveling again. City trips are particularly popular. This trend is also boosting retail at tourist locations. If tourism and hospitality are to play an important role in the future of retail (and they must), then the presence and location of hotels is crucial. The combination of hotel and retail sectors offers many opportunities. Nevertheless, the two asset classes have hardly been connected to date.

As the nostalgic memories of greasy fast food and sticky trays fade away, the death of the old-fashioned food court looms over the culinary landscape. An expert in the world F&B development, Will Odwarka, founder and CEO of Dubai-based firm Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting, states in his newest column: “With the rise of trendy market halls, food halls, and multi-purpose restaurant experiences, traditional food courts are struggling to keep up with the ever-evolving dining scene. But wait a minute, is that really true?”