The disposable income gap between CEE economies, which are enjoying solid economic expansion, and stagnating Western European countries is narrowing fast. This is buoying consumer spending in markets like Poland and Romania and attracting international and regional retailers to large modern shopping centres that dominate the CEE’s shopping and experience landscapes, while also offering higher margins and lower costs, NEPI Rockcastle’s latest research concludes.

Bucharest-based Calea Victoriei, the main retail street in Romania, boasts a prime monthly rental level of €60 per sqm, which was 9% higher compared with last year, according to a Cushman & Wakefield report.

In Q3 2024, the Polish retail market expanded by another 116,000 sqm. With average retail vacancy rates in the largest Polish cities falling and tenants posting rising turnover levels, predictions of the imminent decline of shopping centres in Poland have proven premature, says BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland in its latest report.

Property group NEPI Rockcastle has posted a 12.3% growth in net operating income to €411 million in the first nine months of 2024 versus the same period of 2023 over higher rents and short-term income. 

Crestyl has fully launched its new Dornych project in the neighbourhood of Brno's main railway station, offering a clinic, hotel, coworking and dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes. At the end of October, the old shopping centre has been closed and is now being cleaned out and is awaiting gradual demolition.

Nhood Services Romania has been selected to support the international expansion of the Romanian restaurant chain Spartan.

CEE is one of the most promising locations for e-commerce, according to the latest report from Cushman & Wakefield. In addition, data from Cushman & Wakefield shows that Poland accounts for over half of the turnover reported in the CEE region. The growth outlook for the Polish e-commerce sector is even more positive, as logistics costs in Poland - which are strategically important for e-commerce - are 18% lower than in the Czech Republic and 50% lower than in Germany.

The retail market in Romania has room for growth, considering that short-to-long term pipeline exceeds 800,000 sqm, consisting of projects under construction or in different permitting stages, which are due to be completed by the end of the decade. 

Square 7 Properties and Mitiska REIM have inaugurated Pitești Shopping Park, a new shopping center located in the northern area of Pitești, following an investment of €19 million.

WOOD & Company has announced the completion of the acquisition process of the Aupark Bratislava shopping centre. At the same time, it has invested in its expansion with the public opening last week.