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PIER 14 stands for fashion, lifestyle and culinary delights on the Baltic coast. The concept store brand offers guests an experience that goes far beyond ordinary shopping and dining. Previously, their concept store in Zinnowitz was named Store of the Year in 2015 and 2018 (Fashion category) by the German Retail Association. Now, the brand has won its Store of the Year Award for the third time, awarding the “Strandterasse” (beach terrace) in Ahlbeck, Germany in the concept store category.

With approximately 38 outlets, the UK is already one of the most saturated markets. So why do we think there is a need for a 39th? Giles Membrey, Managing Director of Rioja Estates Ltd, explains why his next project, Grantham Designer Outlet Village, will follow his company’s very successful blueprint for Malmö Designer Village.

Few sectors of retail real estate offer such interesting and exciting opportunities for a retailer or brand, coupled with year on year growth as the outlet sector does. It continues to evolve, across the globe, at differing speeds depending on region or country, but with consumers keen to enjoy the benefits it offers. While outlets remain crucial to brand distribution strategies, operators and retailers face opportunities and challenges as consumer behaviors shift.

«The goal is to offer facilities to transform outlet centers as “living centers” or “places of life” and to drive footfall, especially during all the week, » states Caroline Lamy, CEO of Magdus. In this interview, she gives an overview of the European Outlet market. This means that pure retail offers in outlets should also be combined with F&B and leisure offers, residential or health services offers – if it makes sense.

The 2025 travel season is picking up speed and the ALEXA at Berlin’s Alexanderplatz is already seeing a significant increase in international visitors. The shopping center, which is owned by Union Investment and managed by Sonae Sierra is benefiting greatly from the ongoing recovery in Berlin tourism after the pandemic. With targeted concepts for national and international guests, ALEXA is consolidating its position as a premium destination at Alexanderplatz.

The Nordic Real Estate Forum 2025, held March 20 in Tallinn under the theme “New Normal in Real Estate,” examined the critical intersection of technology and sustainability in commercial real estate. Key discussions revolved around geopolitical uncertainties, infl ation, and shifting investment strategies, but one theme stood out across panels: technology’s role in enabling ESG compliance and operational efficiency.

The multisports specialist Decathlon and the department store chain GALERIA announced a strategic cooperation that aims to change the retail sector in Germany in the long term. As part of this cooperation, Decathlon is opening new stores at several GALERIA locations throughout Germany.

Austria’s largest shopping center kicked off the spring season with two special events. For the first time, Westfield Shopping City Süd teamed up with STYLE UP YOUR LIFE! for the Westfield Club Shopping Night, where selected stores offered extended opening hours exclusively for Westfield Club members. Immediately afterwards, all fashion enthusiasts had the opportunity to discover the latest trends of the season at the Colorful Spring Days.

Following non-food discounter Action’s positive results in net sales growth and successful expansion strategy last year, the retailer is aiming for further market entries in 2025.

Over the past twelve months, there has been significant progress toward sustainability in the European shopping center landscape. According to the latest RegioData analysis, a clear trend has emerged: an increase in environmental certifications and a decline in non-certified buildings. This not only highlights the transformation in the construction industry but also underscores the growing importance of ecological standards.

Hamburg is preparing for its new shopping highlight with the opening date of the Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier on April 8 being just around the corner. In combination with a wide range of gastronomy, entertainment and cultural offerings, the official opening of the center will establish a new shopping and lifestyle destination that is unique in northern Germany and offers exceptional experiences for both the local community and all visitors.

Retail outlet centres have seen a significant leap in retail and leisure brand growth in the past years with general sector growth set to continue, according to the Ken Gunn European Outlet Industry Review which ranks Europe’s top performing outlet centres and brands as well as the most improved.

Designed by Medusa Group and developed by Echo Investment Group and Archicom, the mixed-use development Fuzja (Fusion) in Łódź, Poland, is an outstanding project that has most recently won the prestigious MIPIM Award for Best Urban Regeneration Project, as well as its Special Jury Award for the revitalization of a former factory area.

IKEA’s Oxford Street store is opening on May 1st, as the extensive renovation project across all seven floors of the iconic Grade II listed building has concluded.