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THE LATEST PLACEMAKING NEWS

A crisis forces us to think in new and different ways. It is a challenge – but finally, almost always, it leads up to new ideas and helps to speed up the much-needed change, states Caroline von Westerholt, Head of Strategy & Repositioning of Retail Properties at Twenty One Media GmbH. She explains her biggest learnings from the current crisis.

Sovereign Centros has announced the opening of Lids, a leading global retailer specialising in licensed sports and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel, at retail and leisure destination Merry Hill. The regional debut caps off a successful period, with more than 16,258 sq m of new deals secured in the calendar year at the destination.

Sonae Sierra has formally adhered to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), becoming a signatory to the principles that promote sustainable investment, through the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in investment decisions.

In the future, cities will have more green spaces than parking spaces for cars. New models of use such as subscription models or special leasing options are already being offered by some providers, the call for more efficient use of vehicles is becoming louder and louder.

„Cost efficiency and transparency“ – according to Markus Schmut, these are the two big “drivers”, especially for the retail real estate industry in the coming year. We have spoken with Markus Schmut, the managing director of Fairmoney. Using a shopping center as an example of a case study, he shows us what is possible with efficient fixed cost management.

European retail sales have declined in the month of October as consumers struggle with the increased cost of living. However, the real effect will become the new reality in 2023. During Christmas season, shopping places such as the shopping centers managed by the Austrian SES have performed very good. One reason is the focus on a positive customer experience.

Due to the increasing scarcity of the land and housing market, integrated locations for local supply real estate are increasingly becoming the focus of urban development. When modernizing or building new supermarkets or discount stores, there is a growing demand for “mixed-use properties”, in which local suppliers are combined with commerce, offices and apartments.

Victoria Square, the leading retail and leisure destination in Northern Ireland, is celebrating the official launch of fashion retailer Tessuti, marking its first flagship store in Ireland.

BALFIN Group is receiving a corporate loan from the International Finance Corporation, following a positive evaluation of its operations and standards according to well-established criteria. This amount will be used to refinance the expansion of Tirana East Gate, so that it ultimately creates more jobs, boosts local production, and promotes competitiveness in the retail market.

Grosvenor has announced that German premium fashion brand, BOSS, will be relocating and upsizing their store at Liverpool ONE. Taking a new, prominent space on Paradise Street, the 1,254 sq m flagship BOSS store marks a 130% upsize in total trading area and is a strong vote of confidence in the destination from a leading international brand.

Rioja Estates has announced that 30 percent of the space being brought forward by the forthcoming Grantham Designer Outlet Village is now committed with 22 percent in legals. This places the East Midlands outlet center in a position ahead of the planned start on-site in the first quarter of 2023.

INTERSPORT Knudsen, a family business with roots in Northern Germany, will open an innovative concept store on almost 2,000 sq m in Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier in spring 2024. With the sports retailer from the international INTERSPORT group, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is further expanding the sportswear segment of the future flagship destination.

Congratulations to all MAPIC Awards winners, who were honoured for their excellence, innovation, and creativity in the retail real estate sector.

“Future shopping spaces need to be flexible in every aspect, to meet the people’s needs and demands”, this is according to the ACROSS Advisory Bard the greatest task for 2023. The challenges are diverse, but a strong and experienced industry is ready to address those.