More than 180,000 sqm of new retail space was added to the Polish market in H1 2018. Nearly 80% of that total was delivered through new openings and extensions of existing shopping centres. New and extended retail parks accounted for 15% of the new supply while retail space delivered through outlet centres made up approximately 6% of that volume. The largest new retail completions include Forum Gdańsk (62,000 sqm) and Gemini Park Tychy (36,000 sqm). Other shopping centres delivered in H1 2018 are smaller retail schemes of less than 20,000 sqm: Rondo Wiatraczna in Warsaw (11,000 sqm), Galeria Piastova in Gniezno (9,500 sqm) and Galeria nad Potokiem in Radom (5,180 sqm).

 

This high supply of retail space is a response to demand largely driven by Poland’s rapid economic growth which hit 5.2% in Q1 2018, powered by household spending (up by 8.2% y-o-y) and steadily rising salaries (+7.3% y-o-y). The low unemployment rate standing at 5.9% at the end of June is another contributory factor. With such positive macroeconomic indicators, Poland is seeing an increase in retail developments and new brands enter the market such as Fissman, Dealz and Tedi. Poland is also being targeted by Primark.

 

Despite the healthy supply in the first six months, Poland’s vacancy rate edged down by 0.8% to 3.2%, which is another confirmation of the Polish retail market’s good health. This resulted, among other things, from OBI taking over the space vacated by Praktiker and fitness club operators swiftly moving into the premises vacated by Jatomi.

 

With a steadily rising demand and supply, rents remain unchanged. Prime rents for an approximately 100 sqm unit in Warsaw’s best-in-class shopping centres stand at €100-130/sqm/month. Rents are lower at other major cities and stand at €135-50/sqm/month for similar units.