Prologis Europe ended the second quarter with record occupancy at 97.2 percent, notably through improved demand in its Southern markets. During the quarter, the company signed 343,000 square metres of new leases and 631,000 square metres of lease renewals to its operating and development portfolio.

The availability of workers is right now perhaps the most significant factor for companies when assessing business plans and prospects in the CEE region. Colliers International presented the extent of the problem and the most likely solutions in a new report.

The retail market is facing major challenges with e-commerce and rapidly changing consumer needs disrupting the traditional shopping centre model. Retailers that want to stay in the race are already embracing new concepts and formats. The future of retail will be one of the key topics to be discussed at the upcoming CEE Property Forum 2018 in Vienna.

Total retail stock in Poland now stands at nearly 14.0 million sqm with shopping centres accounting for 71% (9.9 million sqm), followed by retail parks and warehouses with 27% (3.8 million sqm) and outlet centres coming in with 2% (0.25 million sqm). JLL summarised H1 2018 on the retail market in Poland.

The accelerated economic development of the major regional cities in Romania is beginning to influence their real estate market as well. According to Colliers International, there are strong arguments to support the increased interest in office leasing and the strong investment potential, so cities such as Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi or Brasov can offer an alternative to Bucharest.

A good location is the key to success in retail. It may, however, take some time before a suitable store is found for a brand entering the Polish market. Most brands want to open their first stores in Warsaw. That’s why retailers would rather wait than start off somewhere else, says Szymon Łukasik, Head of Retail Department at Cresa Poland.

According to Cushman & Wakefield, total investment volumes in Poland in H1 2018 surpassed €3 billion reaching €3,246 million, up 113% on H1 2017.

Total demand on the Budapest industrial market amounted to 59,740 sqm in Q2 2018, marking a 72% decrease over the figure noted in the same period last year. The Budapest Research Forum published its quarterly industrial market analysis.

Net absorption on the Budapest office market in Q2 2018 amounted to 40,140 sqm, which marks more than a doubling year-on-year. The Budapest Research Forum published its latest figures.

An entire section will be dedicated to the future of Southeastern European markets at the upcoming CEE Property Forum 2018 in Vienna. International experts and top local players will provide an overview of the Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian and Croatian markets, among others. To check out the list of confirmed speakers, click here.