CBRE expects the COVID-19 outbreak to have a negative short-term impact on certain sectors of the commercial real estate market. However, the further transmission and evolution of the virus remains difficult to predict.

The pandemic declared last week by the WHO has undoubtedly a crippling effect on businesses and poses major challenges and unexpected obstacles to supply chain management. Nevertheless, as always in such crisis situations, there are also companies that come out unscathed of them, even in a better condition and with innovative solutions. Will the coronavirus be a black swan for the Polish market and will it further accelerate the fast-growing e-commerce sector? An analysis by Damian Kołata, Associate, Industrial & Logistics Agency at Cushman & Wakefield.

According to Colliers International’ COVID-19 Insights, it will take until at least Q2 2020 for the investment market to come to terms with what is a very sharp economic global shock and a potentially deeper economic shock for Europe.

The COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted supply chains with China and these are now gradually being restored.  However, the epicentre of the pandemic has shifted to Europe, which has brought challenges for producers and distributors. The logistics sector is striving to maintain liquidity. All truck drivers – regardless of nationality – are exempt from the 14-day quarantine required on entry to Poland. Similar exemptions have been introduced by other EU member states. Fast-track lanes have been created for freight trucks across the EU. It’s all in an attempt to minimalize supply chain disruptions, Axi Immo writes in its report.

CPI Property Group offered the Czech government the entire capacity of the 14 hotels operated by CPI Hotels in the event that the government requires extra space for patients. The offer includes approximately 5,000 beds in 2,490 rooms and conference space that can normally accommodate almost 10,000 guests in total.

The global impact of the coronavirus outbreak is currently the main concern of everyone in the logistics sector. In response, real estate consulting firm Colliers International decided to conduct a flash poll asking industry participants (primarily transport/logistics companies, retailers, manufacturing companies, property developers, investors) in Germany about their perspective.

Climate change has become a reality and real estate is one of the key economic sectors in this. Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. So far, the industry has concentrated its effort, although still much limited, on the construction and management of buildings, which could be quantifiable in the green-certified prime office stock. It is therefore critical that the real industry plays its part in reversing the negative trend for the climate and the environment, reveals a new report produced by a team of analysts of EMEA Research & Insight at, Cushman & Wakefield.

Co-living has become a buzzword on the real estate market, but sharing living space, interests and values can benefit not only young people, corporate professionals or students. Cushman & Wakefield’s latest insight report “Co-living – a new era for the real estate investment market in Poland” explores senior housing. Forecasts by the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS) indicate that by 2050 the number of Polish people aged 60 and over will have risen by approximately 52%. Co-living therefore represents both an opportunity for retirees to enjoy a new lifestyle and a trend that has a strong growth potential.

A new peak in total transaction volumes of €13.9 billion was reached last year across the CEE region. Including Austria and Serbia, the volume is even greater: €20.19 billion, according to CBRE’s latest research.

406,000 sqm of retail space was handed over on the Polish market in 2019. The development pipeline currently stands at approximately 500,000 sqm, 85% of which is scheduled for opening by the end of 2020. Going forward, investors’ interest will increasingly shift towards smaller cities below 100,000 inhabitants. Cushman & Wakefield has summarized the Polish retail market.