Investors view the logistics sector with optimism and, to a lesser extent, retail over the next 12 months, according to a Cushman & Wakefield Echinox study conducted among the most important investors and developers in Romania.

The demand for industrial spaces in CEE is moderating after a record year, with vacancy rates having slightly increased but still at a healthy level. The shift in demand patterns has included larger deals and tenant diversification. Despite challenges, logistics is an attractive asset class with yields comparable to offices and retail, revealed the discussion at CEE Property Forum 2024 in Vienna, chaired by Martin Polák, Managing Director CEE at GARBE Industrial Real Estate.

Like other real estate segments, retail has always been adapting to changes in customer behaviour. This evolution thus is a subject of constant investment and innovation, based on the quality and uniqueness of locations. CEE Property Forum 2024 in Vienna has explored financing challenges together with the importance of data-based decisions in the discussion panel focused on retail.

Investors across Europe will continue to focus on sectors with strong structural tailwinds, such as living and logistics, according to a Knight Frank report. 

Răzvan Nica, Managing Partner BuildGreen, talked to Property Forum about the building certification trends and the company’s development of the CarbonTool platform, which helps property players meet their decarbonisation objectives.

Real estate investment decisions in CEE are currently made considering various challenges, such as difficulty in predicting five-year exit strategies for investments, liquidity in the region, and concerns about the impact of ESG regulations on building compliance and financing, to name a few. CEE Property Forum 2024 in Vienna has taken a closer look at European investment trends in the panel chaired by Tim Wilkinson, MRICS, Head of European Acquisitions at Indotek Group.

In total, 121,000 sqm of office premises in 6 A-class office buildings that form a significant part of the Investika real estate fund´s portfolio in Poland has achieved international environmental BREEAM certification. Four properties have been certified at the “Excellent” level, while two have obtained the “Very Good” level. Successful BREEAM certification, one of the two most widely recognized international sustainability standards for buildings, is part of Investika real estate fund´s ESG strategy.    

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has released a new edition of its Global Red Book, which features several crucial updates on AI use in valuation and the mandatory implementation of ESG principles.

Dominik Uhe, Head of Investor Relationship Management at Kaufland International, shared insights into the retail giant’s evolving role in the supermarket sector, strategies for fostering investor confidence, and the company’s commitment to ESG innovation. With a focus on flexibility, long-term partnerships, and sustainable development, Dominik offers a forward-looking perspective on how Kaufland is shaping the future of retail real estate in CEE and beyond.

Experts from Cushman & Wakefield note in their latest report that the residential sector in Poland is developing ESG strategies focused on environmental aspects. However, PRS and co-living investors are also undertaking community-oriented initiatives.