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placemaking

Ingka Centres Futures is looking for partners to shape the future of retail. By collaborating with businesses of all sizes, the platform is transforming traditional shopping spaces into vibrant community hubs where people can connect, explore, and experience retail in a whole new way.

Over the past decade, the retail landscape has undergone a seismic transformation redefining the very essence of the sector. Customers’ expectations of convenience, personalization, experience, community, and sustainability have changed dramatically. The purpose of physical stores is being redefined, with goods and products taking a backseat to experiences. Today, successful retail destinations are those that cultivate connection, joy, and community.

With the opening of the ‘HOUSE OF SILHOUETTE’ on December 2, the renowned eyewear manufacturer Silhouette Group is setting new standards for premium optics in Vienna on the occasion of its 60th anniversary. In a historic building at the prestigious address Herrengasse 1, an exclusive store awaits visitors, allowing them to immerse themselves in the world of premium eyewear.

Retail is polarizing towards the absolute top locations, among them metropolitan locations, and A-cities. There are many cases proving this but there are also exceptions – and not just any, but successful exceptions. The recent DeepTalk online-discussion took a closer look at one such exception and looked a little behind the letting and positioning strategies of the Europa-Galerie Saarbrücken in Germany, one of the outstanding best-practice examples.

Architecture, service, offerings, technology, and sustainability—these are the key elements of consumer needs-related projects. Fiba Commercial Properties explains how these aspects are properly implemented and integrated and, in the end, deliver a unique, captivating experience that goes beyond what traditional retail developments offer.

ACREM is the mall management company behind TEG (Tirana East Gate). The shopping center in Albania set a completely new standard regarding professionalism and efficiency, resulting in the Albanians not having to hide behind the Western industry giants in terms of footfall and catchment areas. ACROSS Management Director Reinhard Winiwarter discussed with Elda Hysenbelli, CEO at ACREM, and Joana Korimi, Head of Marketing at ACREM, what mall management and marketing à la TEG looks like, what their customers demand, and why some customers feel so comfortable in the center that they even get married there.

The challenges facing the retail real estate sector are more significant than ever. Future-oriented solutions for retail properties such as retail parks are urgently needed – this is precisely where the Retail PIN comes in. This newly founded think tank, an initiative of six leading companies in the retail real estate industry, pools strategic expertise and a shared vision: to actively and sustainably shape the future of retail locations.

The BALFIN Group has brought nothing less than the idea of shopping centers to Albania. The group is not only a developer and operator of assets but has also developed into one of the most influential retail and wholesale players in the Western Balkans. “It takes courage, trust, and patience to break new ground,” says Julian Mane, Vice President Retail of the BALFIN Group. “But whoever is among the first on a new market will also be the most successful.” In the extensive interview with ACROSS, Mane explains, among other things, how he convinces brands to enter the Albanian market, what they can expect there, and why retail parks will be the future concept for the country.

Ian Sandford, President of Eurofund Group, creates places that combine shopping, gastronomy, and leisure, ensuring that everyone finds a reason to go to a center every day. He coined the term “shopping resort” as a result. After numerous very successful projects, particularly with Puerto Venecia in Spain and Ubbo in Lisbon, he is now bringing his idea of a shopping resort to the Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum in Germany. In this interview, he explains what managers can learn from goldfish and why courage is more crucial than ever. He also shares his plans for the Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum and his other assets.

The MENA region’s retail landscape is undergoing a transformative phase, with the mall industry projected to grow from USD 808.51 billion in 2024 to USD 1,401.32 billion by 2032. Against this dynamic backdrop, the inaugural Mall Development MENA Forum 2024 is set to take place from November 11-12, at the Le Meridian Hotel Dubai. This landmark event will bring together industry leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers to explore the future of mall development in the region.

SILLPARK, the largest inner-city shopping center in Innsbruck, Austria, in terms of area, and which attracts over 5 million visitors a year, is to remain fully operational while it undergoes modernization and is enhanced with a very special innovation: in a first for Austria’s shopping malls, a health park of more than 3,000 sq m in area is being built here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.