At the end of June 2022, the supply of modern retail space in the Czech Republic amounted to almost 3.97 million sqm. Shopping centres take about 67%, retail parks 31% and outlets the remaining 2% of the market. During the first six months of 2022, the retail park construction boom has not stopped yet and the retail market expanded by 19,500 sqm. Over the last five years, the share of retail parks has increased by 5%. The largest completed project in the first six months of this year was Shopping Centre Řepy in Prague. Another 52,300 sqm of retail space is currently under construction across 12 projects, of which 31,200 sqm is expected to be completed this year, says JLL in its retail market report for Q2 2022.

The Slatina Shopping Park, located in Southern Romania, has reached a total commercial area of 8,700 sqm following an extension completed by Square 7 Properties and Mitiska REIM investment fund. 

The Japanese apparel brand is preparing to open its first pop-up store in Poland – in Domy Towarowe Wars Sawa Junior in the centre of Warsaw. The two-storey store in one of the most popular shopping destinations in central Warsaw is set to open this autumn.

Starting this summer, an unmanned Żabka Nano store operates in Aeropark Business Centre, owned by GTC. 

Hagag Development Europe has received the building permit for the consolidation and renovation works on Știrbei Palace located in central Bucharest. The developer will select a general contractor to start the transformation of the historical building in a high-end commercial gallery.

Square 7 Properties has started the construction of a new retail park in Giurgiu, with a gross lettable area of 7,000 sqm. 

German developer Trei Real Estate has opened its thirtieth Vendo Park retail park in Poland. It is located in Otwock, in the south-eastern outskirts of Warsaw.

The rise of e-commerce and changing customer preferences have created a new phenomenon: Dark Stores; that is, online retailers delivering goods within 15 minutes of ordering. During the pandemic and the closure of brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce reached its peak. Some e-shops saw their sales grow by several tens of percents last year. In connection with this, demand for smaller, centrally located e-shop locations and warehouses with 150 to 500 sqm of space began to grow, especially in larger cities with sufficiently dense housing.

As many as 15 new brands arrived on the Czech retail market in the first six months of this year. Compared with the first halves of the past few years, this is the highest number since 2018, when multiple newcomers were attracted as a result of an outlet centre opening near Prague’s airport. The number of newly arriving brands in the second half of the year has been traditionally higher than in the first half, mainly as a result of the Christmas season. In effect, the number of newcomers this year can be expected to be similar to last year’s 38.

Romanian developer Iulius has opened its first convenience retail project in Miroslava locality, near Iași, following an investment of around €12 million.