Trei Real Estate and Jones Lang LaSalle Poland jointly published a new market report on retail parks and convenience centres in Poland. Here are the key findings: Within the retail sector as a whole, investors focus primarily on retail parks, convenience centres, DIY stores and food markets. Prime yields for high-end retail parks have maintained a stable level between 6.5 and 6.75%. The Polish retail investment market saw five banner years of very strong investment volumes between 2015 and 2019, each achieving a transaction total of €2.0 billion to 2.5 billion. The year-end volumes of 2020 and 2021 were significantly lower at c. €750 million and €1.0 billion, respectively. By contrast, investments in 2022 already stood at c. €760 million by mid-year. Accordingly, Trei and JLL Poland feel optimistic about 2022 as a whole.

As of November this year, Multi Corporation has been appointed the new property and asset manager for the shopping centre Central in Bratislava, the company announced.

Japanese clothing chain UNIQLO has opened its store in Domy Towarowe Wars Sawa Junior in Warsaw. The two-storey store has been inaugurated on October 27.

LCP Properties has recently opened two M Park retail parks. The projects in Rawa Mazowiecka and Lubawa have joined the investment group's property portfolio.

This year’s increase in supply and the value of transactions in the retail sector in Poland have a chance to exceed last year's level, says Walter Herz.

Mitiska REIM has today announced the opening of a new retail park development in the Polish city of Wagrowiec, in joint venture with local partner Karuzela Holding.

LCP Group has received a building permit for another retail park in Rawa Mazowiecka. This is the second project of this type of there owned by the company.

Investment fund NEPI Rockcastle has taken over the stake held by Carrefour in Ploiești Shopping City for an undisclosed sum. Following the transaction concluded in September, NEPI Rockcastle has become the sole shareholder of the shopping centre. 

Retail parks and convenience centers emerged as the most resilient retail sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, with customers putting an emphasis on quick and efficient shopping. The development of the Polish retail market continues apace, with the retail park format taking the lead in terms of stock expansion. In H1 2022, developers completed 183,200 sqm of GLA of new retail space, 66% of which was delivered in the form of retail parks and convenience centers dedicated to everyday, quick shopping. However, another 341,700 sqm of GLA is expected to enter the market by the end of 2022, with retail parks accounting for 53% of this total. 2022 could well be another record-breaking year for this segment in terms of space delivered to the market.

Retail parks are growing in smaller Polish towns, mixed-use facilities and new residential estates provide commercial space in large cities, says Walter Herz.