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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 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.

True retail experience represents a major opportunity to inspire and retain customers when they visit a store – perhaps the only opportunity, says Dr. Johannes Berentzen, Managing Director of retail consultancy BBE. Yet, how can experience and, by extension, success be measured? In an interview with ACROSS, the strategy consultant talks, among other things, about how and why we need to rethink space in brick-and-mortar retail, which key figures we should question, and what role technology plays in the process. The underlying challenge: The successful implementation of good ideas requires creativity, entrepreneurial courage, and the necessary funds.

In an era in which e-commerce has gained significant influence, brick-and-mortar retail faces various challenges. These challenges have created an opportunity to rethink and renew the conventional shopping experience. The Turkish retail world is one step ahead when it comes to experience-oriented retail. Turkish shopping centers and young brands, in particular, offer their customers products as well as experiences that go far beyond shopping. Many brands are bringing this philosophy to Europe as part of their expansion strategies.

As an urban developer, JTRE is uniquely positioned in Slovakia due to its specialization in constructing whole city districts. JTRE is significantly changing the city of Bratislava. Recently, the company developed Eurovea, one of Europe’s largest mixed-use projects. ACROSS spoke to Pavel Pelikan, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, about JTRE’s plans, recent developments, and ways of doing business.

The revival of Swiss shopping centers – shopping centers that combine shopping convenience and experience offer the highest added value.

“The money is there but is selective” – There are and will always be investments in retail real estate. Investing in retail real estate is particularly attractive since the industry has come through the crisis faster than other asset classes. In the latest ACROSS Retail Talk, “Euphoria, a new dawn, or more of the same?” sheds light on the investor’s perspective for 2024, a high-caliber panel concluded: There are more opportunities than ever, not only in the CEE-market, but also in so called struggling markets like Germany and Spain.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) currently operates 21 assets in the German and Austrian region: 19 in Germany, eight of which are in the Group’s own portfolio, and two in Austria. Last year, a total of 714 rental contracts were closed for these 21 assets. The average vacancy rate for the core locations in the portfolio around Westfield Centro in Oberhausen, Ruhr Park in Bochum, as well as Westfield Shopping City Süd in Vösendorf in Greater Vienna and Westfield Donau Zentrum in Vienna, is less than two percent.

“Multi Germany feels small and agile, but it enjoys all the advantages of a large group,” says Jörg-Michael Zimmermann. In Zimmermann, Multi has hired a new Head of Germany who, as a result of his mix of experience can take a 360-degree view of retail real estate. His motto is: “There are neither good nor bad locations. Every asset has specific challenges for which individual solutions need to be found.”

Peel is celebrating a milestone year for Trafford Palazzo, the UK’s first next-generation experience centre. With nearly 5600 sq m of new deals secured in 2023, investment into TP Glow – Trafford Palazzo’s dedicated white box promotional space – and exciting developments adjacent to the centre, the destination has grown its footfall by 7% in the year.

The F&B sector has changed significantly in recent years, not only in terms of the size of the market, but also in the variety and quality of the offering. As rents continue to rise in Europe, space previously dominated by fashion retailers is now being occupied by trendy gastronomic restaurants. People have evolved from collecting “things” to collecting “experiences”, and shopping centers have adapted to this change by improving and expanding their gastronomic offerings. Food and beverage (F&B) will play an even more crucial role in the success of retail real estate.

The biggest challenge facing the F&B industry is the cost of doing business. While the coronavirus has run its course through the markets, operators are struggling to return to profitability in the face of current economic challenges. Ian Hanlon, Director of Coverpoint, explains how the current challenges can be addressed and highlights trends in the shopping center food scene using best practice examples from the industry.

Today, more than ever, a first-class location, excellent management, and continuous further development are decisive for the future of a retail property. In addition to the location-specific sector and tenant mix, the gastronomic offer is crucial for success – as ECE Marketplaces shows.

We are in the middle of a transformation, states MAPIC Director Francesco Pupillo. The changes in the retail world are also reflected in the changing role and face of MAPIC. This includes the presence and support of new players. But in the end, the purpose of the biggest industry fair stays the same: It is a dealmaking opportunity.