Warsaw, Krakow and Wrocław offer access to large pools of high-skilled professionals, modern office space and suitable infrastructure. They compete for shared services centres not only with other Polish cities but also with large urban areas worldwide, according to Cresa’s report on the Polish outsourcing market.

The local real estate market has entered a new year of development on all its major segments, as developers plan to deliver industrial, retail and office spaces with a cumulated area of 1.2 million square meters, a new market record. In comparison, new spaces of around 850,000 square meters were delivered in 2018, according to data from Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.

The annual volume of leased floorspace in 2018 was 3.7 million sqm on Poland’s industrial market. The market grew by a further 2 million sqm while nearly 2 million sqm of space is under construction. Last year also saw record-breaking total for industrial investment transactions - worth €1.84 billion, according to JLL’s market summary.

Europe’s commercial property market is enjoying a favourable operating environment supporting its credit quality but risks are increasing. Rising interest rates and slowing economic growth could dampen future investor demand, according to Moody’s latest report.

The European retail market is undergoing massive changes as e-commerce grows and consumer habits change. Here are our 10 key takeaways from the annual RICS European Retail conference that was organised in Amsterdam this week.

Decreasing supply of attractive land parcels combined with growing prices are directing investors' attention to areas with objects that require either demolition or revitalization. Multi-functional projects are still gaining popularity in Poland, according to JLL’s report.

Poland’s warehouse market is set to maintain a strong momentum this year, driven by robust occupier interest with demand outstripping supply for many months and the economy powering ahead.

Office building transactions on the Romanian market reached the highest level of the last decade in 2018, as 20 assets with a total GLA of 220,000 square meters and a value of more than €500 million were transacted only in Bucharest, according to Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.

Logistics real estate rent growth remained considerable in 2018, with rents rising 6% globally. Consistent with the past several years, the U.S. outperformed, with 8% growth. However, other regions were just as notable. China was a clear leader with 8% growth. In Europe, rents rose 5%, a near doubling in growth from 2017 and the fastest annual growth in the region based on data reaching back more than 10 years, according to new research by Prologis.

Hungary’s investment market peaked in 2017 but a solid €1.8 billion was transacted in 2018 with local investors closing 65% of purchases on the buyer side. Property Forum summarised some of the key market trends presented at CBRE’s yearly Re-View business breakfast.