The two months of isolation and the situation still fragile regarding the danger of infection with the Covid-19 virus will mark their way into the consumption behavior of Romanians, as they will be tempted to choose more outdoor activities and spending their holidays in Romania, according to a study conducted by the real estate consulting company Cushman & Wakefield Echinox and the research company MKOR Consulting.

After the Polish government announced a major reopening of the retail economy last month, outlets are seeing more than 80% of footfall on average, with convenience centres attracting between 90% to 100% clients as compared to the previous year. Such positive results are due to the fact that these types of centres are shopping destinations in their own right but only offer a limited number of options for spending free time. However, this paradoxically is now working in favour of outlet centres and convenience centres.

Trei Real Estate, a developer and asset holder for residential and retail real estate with activities across Europe, just opened the 17th retail park of its Vendo Park brand in Poland. The retail park is located in the city of Płock in the Masovian voivodeship. Płock has a population of around 120,000 residents and lies roughly 100 kilometres north-west of Warsaw. The total investment costs equal €6.7 million.

As of 29 May, CPI Property Group collected 76% of rents in April 2020. The company published unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2020.

Immofinanz’s rental income in Q1 2020 rose by 13.4% to € 74.0 million, above all due to the expansion of the portfolio through acquisitions and completions as well as a growth of 1.9% in like-for-like rental income. The results of asset management increased by 18.1% to €59.5 million, and the results of operations were 18.0% higher at €43.5 million. However, the revaluation results of €-45.0 million from standing investments and goodwill reflect the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Net profit for Q1 2020 was, therefore, negative at €-37.6 million.

According to a study conducted by research body Inquiry for the Polish Council of Shopping Centres (PRCH), 51% of those surveyed visited shopping centres in the first week after they reopened following the easing of the lockdown measures. Out of these, 64% visited shopping centres to make specific purchases, while 31% went to browse the stores or to seek out promotions.

Nine shopping centre owners in Romania, together with CBRE, have urged the Romanian Government to reopen large shopping centres as soon as possible.

Savills has been appointed property manager of Posejdon, a €78 million (PLN 350 million) office, conference and hotel complex in Szczecin. The building is entering an operational phase, with more office tenants moving in and the first retail stores now open. The opening of two hotels (four- and three-star hotels) is scheduled for the second half of 2020.

Developer NEPI Rockcastle completed the construction of the 39,800 sqm Shopping City Targu Mures project in Romania in Q1 2020. The opening was, however, rescheduled from the end of March to Q3 2020. The company is not launching new constructions until there is further clarity on the impact of COVID-19 on its operations.

With the easing of the strict governmental regulations in Budapest, NEPI Rockcastle Group, the owner of Arena Mall and Mammut Shopping and Entertainment Center is starting to get back to its usual operation. The company has introduced further safety measures in their Budapest shopping centres.