According to Savills, the food sector is becoming the new core in retail property investment. Last year, for the first time, investments in supermarkets, hypermarkets and food discount stores accounted for a record 21% of total European retail activity, up from a five year average of 7%.

Gergely Biró is the new CEO of Hungary’s OTP Real Estate Fund Management. The aim of the change is to further increase the fund manager's share in the domestic market with new, innovative investment solutions following the consolidation of the portfolio and to enter the regional markets with its products in the coming years.

The Tristar project, a joint venture between Tristan EPISO 4 and White Star Real Estate gets new tenants in its warehouses in Poland. The company is also focusing on signing lease renewals with key tenants.

Michał Okoń, Managing Director of Zeitgeist Asset Management in Poland talked to Property Forum about the forecasts for the PRS market in Poland, subscription services and the impact of the pandemic on the rented apartment segment.

A total investment volume of €290 million was transacted in the Czech Republic during the first quarter of 2021, according to Savills’ latest research. Without the exceptional €1.3 billion Residomo portfolio sale transaction, the investment volume was only down by 8% y-o-y.

Residential developers operating in Poland's largest markets broke the quarterly sales record set in 2017. Sales of new apartments reached 19,500 and were up 40% q-o-q. Continued demand oversupply is pushing prices up further. 

According to Colliers, CEE investment flows are down by almost 48% on Q1 2020, at ca. €2.0 billion. Despite the slow start, 2021 year-end volumes are estimated to accelerate to reach similar levels to 2020, of around €10.0 billion.

Wood & Company, together with its JV partner Tatra Asset Management, has announced the acquisition of the Aupark Bratislava shopping centre in Slovakia from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. The completion of the transaction is expected during the first half of this year and is subject to standard conditions precedent, such as competition clearance.

After a year from the beginning of the pandemic, investors are continuing their strategies adjusted to the new market conditions. Most of them are focusing mainly on safe, predictable investments. This year Avison Young has observed the third-best opening ever with almost €1.3 billion transacted in 31 deals during the first quarter of 2021.

The Q1 2021 results of the RICS Global Commercial Property Monitor indicate a slightly less negative market sentiment across Europe compared to the previous quarter. Rental growth expectations remain negative within the office and retail sectors across all European nations covered, while the outlook for industrial markets has never been more positive.