Although the Polish retail market is still struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, forecasts for the sector are more optimistic than for the rest of Europe. According to Oxford Economics, retail sales in Poland are expected to grow by 4.9% per annum until 2023, which would put Poland in a leading position in Europe. 2021 is expected to see approximately 209,000 sqm of GLA solely in retail parks come onto the market, meaning that 2021 would be a record breaking year for retail parks in terms of space delivered to the market. JLL and Trei Real Estate Poland, the authors of the 2nd edition of the "Retail parks and convenience centers in Poland" report, summarize the market regarding these projects at the end of H1 2021, and outline the development prospects for this sector in Poland.

Scallier says it will officially open in late September its retail park in Roșiorii de Vede, a small city in southern Romania. 

Etele Plaza is going to open its doors to the public at 10 AM on September 17, 2021. Budapest’s latest shopping and entertainment centre located in the immediate vicinity of Etele square, Kelenföld will offer a range of stores and services. Futureal’s €300 million development is also the first smart shopping centre in Hungary.

Shoppers are becoming increasingly conscious and are looking for easily accessible, environmentally friendly shopping centres that also have outdoor green areas, a representative survey called "The role of shopping centres in the 21th century" by Westend and Marketing Resolution found. The survey examined the customer habits of people living in Budapest and its suburbs, including how often they visited their favourite malls, what experiences they were looking for there or what products were in highest demand.

Atrium plans to demolish three old shopping mallls in Warsaw - Atrium Reduta, Atrium Targówek and King Cross – and build apartments in these locations. City authorities comply, but the change of the spatial plans may take years.

Gap, the American casual clothing and accessories brand, announced its entry into the Hungarian market through a franchise partnership with Ganeta Pannónia Kft. The brand will be introduced to customers through Gap-branded stores in the country, beginning with the opening of a Gap freestanding store in Etele Plaza in September 2021.

Romania’s retail sector will see new deliveries of projects covering around 121,000 sqm, of which 62% are small structure, mainly retail parks, according to a report by real estate consultancy Colliers. 

The 46-month revitalization of the Norblin Factory in Warsaw's Wola district, carried out by Capital Park Group, has come to an end. The complex has been granted an occupancy permit. At the investment site, preparations are currently underway to open the first concepts, which will be gradually unveiled to future visitors over the next few months.

At the end of 2020, Porto Montenegro presented to the public its long-awaited project - the concept of an innovative, urban neighbourhood, Boka Place, which features a carefully planned space, with numerous gastronomic, shopping and entertainment facilities and many other benefits that will be available to Porto Montenegro residents as well as all visitors.

Construction works on the new bus station in the Nivy complex on Mlynské Nivy Street in Bratislava are in their final stages. Developer HB Reavis is already fine-tuning the details, testing lighting, technology and information systems. The terminal will be airport-style with 36 platforms, seven drop-off points and 86 bus stands with barrier-free access, the company informs in a press release.