Recent market data by CBRE confirm the resilience of the industrial and retail sectors, which are seeing a sustained pace of construction this year.
Recent developments have delivered 67,500 sqm of new space, and another 300,000 sqm is expected by year-end, in a balanced pipeline that meets the strong demand from logistics, production, and storage.
During Q1 2025, total leasing activity in the industrial and logistics sector reached 204,400 sqm, comparable to the record years of 2023 and 2024. Demand was diverse, spanning all regions of the country, with Bucharest accounting for 62% of total transactions.
The integration of Romania into the Schengen area at the beginning of 2025 has further strengthened the attractiveness of the industrial market for nearshoring and major logistics investments.
"The solid demand, spread across all regions of the country, and the investors' interest in Romania reaffirm our position as a strategic regional logistics hub," states Răzvan Iorgu, Managing Director & Head of Industrial & Logistics, CBRE Romania.
The retail sector also continues to outperform expectations. The modern stock has increased to 4.51 million sqm, with new retail parks being delivered, and another 188,000 sqm of retail space is projected by the end of 2025. Prime monthly rents in shopping centers have seen an annual increase of 6.25%, reaching €85 per sqm.
“This evolution is fueled both by domestic demand driven by consumption and the gap compared to the development level of neighboring countries in CEE. Compared to Poland, Romania has a 44% lower density in retail and a 58% lower density in the industrial segment," details Laura Dumea-Bencze, Head of Research & Director Investment Properties, CBRE Romania.
