In the past twelve months, retail properties have tried to make up for the challenges faced in the first year of the pandemic. Summarizing 2021 for the modern retail space sector, experts from BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland pointed to several key phenomena regarding the sector, including: a quick return of shoppers to retail facilities, retail parks standing becoming stronger, e-commerce continuing the way of the stable growth, as well as the increasingly important role of sustainable development and ESG policy.

Supersam, a mixed-use destination in Katowice which includes a shopping centre and office buildings, is undergoing a transformation. It will soon feature more office space as well as a new restaurant section. The Konior Studio led by Silesian architect Tomasz Konior is responsible for the redevelopment project. The work should be completed in Q4 2022.

Around 100,000 sqm of new retail spaces should be completed during 2022 in Romania, of which more than 80% are located in retail parks, according to a report by real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. 

A new development division of the Lekvi Group plans to build fifteen new retail parks in the region within five years. So far, this group of investors from the countries of the former Soviet Union has focused on the sale of apartments but now sees potential in retail parks in the Czech and Slovak Republics. The planned projects should cost CZK 1 billion, E15 reports.

Romanian developer Iulius will invest €40 million to expand the Iulius Mall Suceava project with 14,000 sqm in a bid to add new retailers as well as leisure and food operators. 

Revetas Capital has sold Vitantis Shopping Center in Bucharest, with a leasable area of around 50,000 sqm, to Praktiker Real Estate, owned by businessman Omer Susli, for an undisclosed sum, according to economedia.ro. 

Atrium announced the major refurbishment of its flagship shopping centre – Atrium Promenada, located in Warsaw, Poland. The investment aims to refurbish the second part of the shopping centre. This will continue the transformation of Promenada, the first part of which was completed in autumn 2018.

Polish developer Scallier has secured a building permit for a new retail park with a leasable area of 9,975 sqm in Vaslui, Eastern Romania.

Despite the pandemic triumph of e-commerce, customers are not giving up on shopping in brick-and-mortar shops. Brands wanting to benefit from the synergy of these channels implement innovative formats and compete for customers' attention with technology and environmentally friendly products. However, retail parks and convenience centres continue to enjoy popularity among investors and developers, says JLL.

Portico Investments has purchased a new Profi store in Bucharest, in a bid to expand its Romanian portfolio.