Advertisement
Twitter Facebook Linkedin Rss
ACROSS

placemaking

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.

Left-to-right: Thomas Reichenauer, Managing Director at ROS Retail Outlet Shopping; Designer Outlet Algarve’s new plaza, center extension is opening in Summer 2025. /// credit: ROS Retail Outlet Shopping

ALL SIGNS POINT TO FURTHER GROWTH AT ROS RETAIL OUTLET SHOPPING

With the FREY Group as a new financially strong property partner providing robust support, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping is setting the stage for further growth and enhanced premium outlet shopping destinations across Europe. Major expansions at four centers and two new developments are set to be completed within two years.

Brendon O'Reilly, Managing Director of FASHION HOUSE Group (left), Outlet Centre Pallady in Bucharest, Romania (right). /// credit: FASHION HOUSE Group

WE STILL NEED MORE INVESTORS WHO UNDERSTAND OUR BUSINESS

Fashion House Group is the only outlet operator in Romania, and it benefits from a growing interest in international brands in Southeast Europe. In this interview with ACROSS, Brendon O’Reilly, Managing Director of Fashion House Group, explains how he wants to grow and expand with these brands.

Otto Ambagtsheer, Chief Executive Officer at VIA Outlets (left), Expansion of Landquart Fashion Outlet, Switzerland (right) /// credit: VIA Outlets

“OUR EXPANSION PROJECTS ARE KEY GROWTH ENABLERS.”

VIA Outlets is expanding at almost every one of its 11 premium fashion outlet locations across Europe, and strengthening the F&B offering is a priority, CEO Otto Ambagtsheer says. He’s confident that organic growth will continue to be the company’s mainstay, because there are very few acquisition opportunities on the market currently, but VIA Outlets will seize the chance to invest if the right M&A deal arises that fits with its business strategy. He added that expanding VIA Outlets’ omnichannel strategy is another key priority.

Palais Vest shopping center in Germany. /// credit: Marc Vollmannshauser, URW

Unibail-Rodamco-Wesfield: Palais Vest Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary With New And Expanded Partnerships

As part of the strategic positioning and ongoing evolution of Palais Vest, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has further differentiated and upgraded the already attractive tenant and brand mix in time for the center’s 10th anniversary. Palais Vest is thus positioning itself even more strongly as a shopping and convenience hub with a high local supply character in Recklinghausen’s city center in Germany. In line with the leasing strategy, various modules have been established and new key partnerships concluded or significantly expanded.

The pocket park aims to preserve the local ecosystem and enhance the area's role within it. /// credit: NEINVER

NEINVER UNVEILS POCKET PARK AT FACTORY POZNAŃ

FACTORY Poznań, managed by NEINVER, has officially opened a 2,000 sq m pocket park. This spectacular green space – complete with unique architectural elements – was designed and constructed in collaboration with landscape architects and biodiversity experts, part of the LIFE Archiclima project, a program funded by the European Union and the Polish National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

Antoine Frey, CEO of FREY (left), Thomas Reichenauer, Co-Founder and Managing Director of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping (right). /// credit: FREY, ROS

“WITHIN THE NEXT TEN YEARS, WE WANT TO BUILD TOGETHER ONE OF THE BEST EUROPEAN COMPANIES DEVELOPING, OWNING, AND MANAGING OUTLETS”

This summer, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping joined the French FREY Group to grow together in the outlet sector. In this interview, Antoine Frey, CEO of FREY, and Thomas Reichenauer, Co-Founder and Managing Director of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping, explain which values and visions both companies have in common, what plans they are pursuing, especially with their first project in Malmö, and why they feel particularly comfortable in the outlet and outdoor shopping sector in the long term.

Global Retail Attractiveness Index: New high in European retail markets

GRAI 3/2024 is driven by greater consumer confidence. The index compiled by Union Investment and GfK sees increased signs of recovery in eight European countries. The most significant increases are visible in Sweden and the Czech Republic, while overseas regions are stabilizing at a weak level.

Eduardo Ceballos is Asset Management Director at NEINVER. /// credit: NEINVER

NEINVER: 3 ANNIVERSARIES EQUALS 3 INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS STORIES

NEINVER is celebrating three anniversaries this year: 25 years of Getafe The Style Outlet in Spain and 20 years of Castel Guelfo and Vicolungo in Italy. All these centers are success stories. Their developments show that every center is individual and, when managed well, will develop its own success story. Nevertheless, Eduardo Ceballos, Asset Management Director at NEINVER, explains some common trends that every center should follow.

Mario Schwann is General Manager of Designer Outlet Parndorf. /// credit: McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Parndorf, Daniel Bointer

FROM BRAND DIVERSITY TO TOURISM MAGNET: DESIGNER OUTLET PARNDORF FOCUSES ON INNOVATION

As an innovative outlet format, Designer Outlet Parndorf is more than just a place to shop – it has become a place where shopping, catering, and tourism come together remarkably. How does an outlet stay relevant, attractive, and growing over the years? Designer Outlet Parndorf uses several key strategies to create a coherent overall picture.

Justyna Bartosz is the Head of Leasing at NEPI Rockcastle. /// credit: NEPI Rockcastle

“CREATING PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ENJOY MEMORABLE MOMENTS TOGETHER – THAT IS THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE FOR ALL CHANGE AND INNOVATION.”

NEPI Rockcastle’s strong net operating income (NOI) growth of 13.5% in the first half of 2024 allowed the company to raise its forecast for full-year distributable earnings per share. Justyna Bartosz, the Group’s Head of Leasing, explains what makes the CEE’s retail and consumer world tick and why it is that NEPI Rockcastle and its tenants can’t pay enough attention to the buzzwords: experience, community building, and authenticity.

Bernd Albl is Managing Director Digital Solutions at umdasch The Store Makers. /// credit: umdasch

SUCCESS AT THE POINT OF SALE: MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS

Imagine walking into a store that plays your favorite music, makes personalized product recommendations based on your needs and desires, and even lets you try on products. Welcome to a new shopping experience. Bernd Albl, Managing Director Digital Solutions at umdasch The Store Makers, explains what these new possibilities look like.

Sebastian Guth is the Managing Director of 21Media. /// credit: 21Media

MARKETING CAN REDEFINE THE ROLE OF SHOPPING CENTERS IN A CHANGING RETAIL LANDSCAPE

The challenge is to transform the shopping center from a place of consumption to a world of experience that seamlessly combines leisure, entertainment, and shopping. In his guest article, Sebastian Guth, Managing Director of 21Media, explains the role of B2B and B2C marketing in the transition of brick-and-mortar retail and shopping centers.

credit: Rioja Estate/McArthurGlen/Hammerson

EUROPE HAS BECOME SATURATED, SO WHERE NEXT FOR OUTLETS?

In recent years, Europe has seen a proliferation of designer outlet malls, catering to savvy shoppers seeking luxury brands at discounted prices. However, the market in Europe is now showing signs of saturation, prompting developers and investors to look beyond traditional borders for new opportunities, says Giles Membrey, Managing Director, Rioja Estates. This shift is driven by various factors, including market maturity, consumer saturation, and the quest for untapped potential in emerging regions.

credit: Ken Gunn

European Outlet Review

The number of stores operating at European outlet centres increased by 0.5% to 15,748 in the twelve months to August 2024. This is the greatest number ever recorded. The number of brands operating at European outlet centres also increased 1.4% to 4,536. This is 0.7% greater than in 2019.

Indoor Skydiving at Rhein-Neckar Zentrum in Viernheim, Germany. /// credit: ECE

PERFECT MATCH: SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

Thanks to their diverse mix of tenants and sectors, today’s shopping centers are more than just places to go shopping: They’re experience destinations and community hubs that enjoy a great deal of popularity – as illustrated by ECE Marketplaces’ latest success figures. Entertainment concepts have increasingly become attractive complements to and additional drawing cards for the respective locations, as current ECE center portfolio examples show.

Yurdaer Kahraman, CEO and Board Member of FİBA Commercial Properties. /// credit: FİBA CP

“YOU DON’T WANT TO RUIN YOUR FUTURE BY MAKING THE WRONG LEASING DECISIONS.”

“Commercial Real Estate is not a short-term project,” says Yurdaer Kahraman. The CEO and Board Member of Fiba Commercial Properties has dedicated his career to the retail real estate industry. He is familiar with the international and German markets and, through Fiba Commercial Properties, now operates some of the most innovative centers in Türkiye, Southeastern Europe, and the Far East. In the ACROSS interview, he critically examines the management of the European retail real estate industry and concludes that only quality will prevail. In today’s competitive environment, it is not a matter of being the largest in the number of assets and area. The winners are those who are fast, innovative, and sustainable.

JTRE`s Ganz House project is located at the picturesque Danube riverside next to Eurovea. /// credit: JTRE

GANZ HOUSE IN BRATISLAVA’S VIBRANT EUROVEA CITY: ATTRACTIVE LIVING AND EXCLUSIVE OFFICES

Bratislava’s dynamic development and rapidly-changing panorama reflect vibrant growth – and nowhere more so than the popular Eurovea area between Apollo Bridge and Old Bridge. Eurovea City is fast becoming the city’s best location for working, living, and relaxing, and that’s where developer JTRE is building the Ganz House boutique project.

Expo Real 2024. /// credit: HyperIn

EMPOWERING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE WITH INNOVATION: INSIGHTS FROM EXPO REAL 2024 WITH HYPERIN

Expo Real, Europe’s largest property and investment trade fair, concluded with a strong focus on digital transformation in the real estate sector. Among the key exhibitors, HyperIn stood out for its contributions to discussions on the evolving landscape of commercial real estate technology. The event served as an important platform for HyperIn to showcase their all-in-one platform, engaging industry leaders and sharing insights on how technology is shaping the future of property management.

Disposal of shopping center Espai Gironès in Spain

Espai Gironès is sold! The retail specialist advisor ambas Real Estate GmbH successfully advised Commerz Real AG in the sales process. The shopping center is a popular shopping and lifestyle destination located in the greater Barcelona area in the Province of Girona in northern Spain. With a total lettable space of approximately 40,000 sq m of retail, leisure and gastronomy spaces, the center is attracting more than 6 million visitors per annum and displays a positive KPI evolution compared to pre-Covid periods.

credit: Simon Hoffmann

ANSON’S new anchor partner in the fashion segment of Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier

Multi-brand menswear retailer ANSON’S is opening a new store covering around 2,600 square meters of rental area at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier in Hamburg’s HafenCity. A special highlight of the new ANSON’S store will be the highlight façade, which is over 100 meters long. The new anchor partner will further differentiate the brand and product mix and strengthen the fashion and lifestyle profile of the destination directly at river Elbe. The store is scheduled to open for the 2025 fall season.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed about the latest news and deals within the placemaking industry in Europe.

By entering my e-mail address and clicking the “Subscribe” button, I declare my consent to ACROSS Medien – und Verlags GmbH to send me information on a regular basis about expert opinions, current trends, latest news, and industry events by e-mail. Being aware that I can revoke my consent to ACROSS Medien- und Verlags GmbH at any time. Privacy Policy

Contact

ACROSS Medien und Verlags GmbH
1010 Vienna, Austria
Ebendorferstraße 3|10
Phone:+43 1 533 32 60-0
E-Mail: office@across-magazine.com

Media Data

For detailed information about ACROSS, the international and independent trade medium for placemaking in Europe please visit:
Media Presentation and Rates

Follow us

If you want to keep up with what’s going on in the international placemaking community, give us a follow!

Twitter Facebook Linkedin Rss

Legal

© ACROSS Medien und Verlags GmbH, All rights reserved