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placemaking

In a world dominated by online shopping, the role of brick-and-mortar retailers is at a critical turning point. The ACROSS Advisory Board discussion in Cannes shed light on a pressing issue – the need to re-educate consumers about the value of physical shopping experiences. Ben Chesser, CEO of Coniq, shares his view on the matter – a PropTech perspective.

It is time to reveal the secret of success in retail real estate, or rather to remind those who may have forgotten it, says Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of RaRE Advise and Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board. As in many other areas, we sometimes lose the right focus or simply have a different perspective as we become more and more specialized or individualized in our daily work. Let’s hit the reset button!

Originally developed solely to meet the daily needs of consumers, shopping centers quickly became an asset class. The model worked very well for a long time, but as consumer behavior has changed, so have the requirements of tenants, operators and investors. The obvious task to satisfy customers, business partners and stakeholders is: Get your customers to return to your locations. Clear differentiation and positioning as well as a clear focus on people are crucial.

Online retail continues to change the shopping landscape, and people have adapted their leisure behavior as a result of the pandemic. Consequently, the role of shopping centers needs to be rethought. Shopping centers are no longer straightforward “shopping machines”, but must prove themselves as sustainable and versatile community centers, argues HBB.

“Placemaking does not have to be a complex configuration of multiple uses, but one that is seen as being in harmony with the people it wants to serve,” states Chris Igwe, Global Retail Expert, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“Investors are increasingly following high-quality, sustainable, and innovative assets that can provide unique and modern customer experiences,” states Christine Hager, Director of Property Management for Sonae Sierra in Germany, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“Consistent (growth) performance is returning, but mainly for businesses and entities that truly stayed focused on relentlessly adapting and readapting,” states Henrik Madsen, Chief Executive & Transformation Officer at HMJ International Services Ltd., and member of the ACROSS Advisory Board in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

In an age where businesses and consumers get bombarded with digital communications, relevant information must get to people at the right time. Any mall business that sends generic messages to its tenants or shoppers will quickly lose their interest. Digital platforms are fundamental to improving the performance of shopping malls and their tenants.

“Focusing on the guest experience is central to outlet centres’ outperformance,” states Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO of VIA Outlets, and member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

The outlet channel performs well – whatever the economic environment. Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO of VIA Outlets, is convinced that the industry’s success story will continue. Therefore, VIA Outlets will not only focus on organic growth, but on further acquisitions as well, keeping an eye on the development from the ground up. He is also convinced that omnichannel is the right way forward for the outlet industry in the long term.

Festive lighting and seasonal decorations remain key to creating the right ambience and attracting visitors during the holiday season. By collaborating with a sustainably-minded festive lighting supplier that offers creativity, innovation, and experience, centers can achieve two objectives: They can support internal sustainability targets and maintain their positions as vibrant community hubs.

Signa Group has become the largest insolvency case in Austria’s history, and also one of the biggest in Europe. In the following, we present a detailed chronology of Signa´s collapse.

“Real estate is a long-term business so many of the challenges are long term in nature too,” states Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle and member of the ACROSS Advisory Board in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.

“In the current retail environment, it is the customers’ expectation for personalisation, speed, and lower costs that is driving industry innovation,” states Gregory Fonseca, Director of Architecture at BDP and member of the ACROSS Advisory Board in the latest “Industry Outlook 2024”.