Extensions to established shopping centres will be a significant driver of new floor space across Europe in the next two years, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest European Shopping Centre Development Report. 4.5 million sqm is expected to be delivered in 2017 and 2.3 million sqm in 2018. One-quarter of that will be attributable to the extensions of the existing shopping centres. In the Czech Republic extensions will make as much as 80%. 

"The aggregate value of the investment involving several different investors is estimated at €150 million", said Marcus Wild, CEO of SES Spar European Shopping Centers, which will manage and own the newest shopping centre in Slovenia. This will grow in Šiška, the most densely populated district of Ljubljana, by the autumn of 2019. The construction work is already starting in June 2017.

According to a summary of Q1 2017 results, NEPI made progress with planning and permitting for several developments and extensions, including those in Galati, Novi Sad and Ramnicu Valcea. Further to the receipt of certain approvals, Victoriei Office in Bucharest is expected to receive permitting for the internal fit-out during the next quarter, enabling tenants to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2017. Zoning and permitting for the Promenada Mall extension continue to experience delays. 

After acquiring the Campona and Pólus shopping centres in Budapest, CPI Property Group has again entrusted CBRE to manage its new properties. CBRE has also been selected as the exclusive leasing agency for the two malls.

Retail property investments continue to attract investors´ attention within the EMEA region as well as in the Czech Republic. Due to a lack of quality retail schemes available for purchase in the European core markets, investors´ interest has been broadening in terms of geographies as well as retail asset classes. The latest JLL study summarises the trends on the European retail market from an investors´ perspective. 

German retailer Lidl bought two XXL Mega Discount stores, located in Sibiu and Galati, from Penny Market. Each property offers 2,500 sqm of retail space. Lidl will also take over the land surrounding the stores. The transaction price is estimated to be between €6 million and €8 million, according to zf.ro.

Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed by CPI Property Group to continue as a property manager of two major shopping centers and one multifunctional complex in Central and Eastern Europe which have been recently acquired from CBRE Global Investors.

Futureal has sold its Sziget Center shopping mall in Hungary to OTP Property Investment Fund as part of the deal that also saw the purchase of the Skypark office building. After a successful repositioning, the 23,600 sqm center located on the outskirts of Budapest has managed to lure high-profile tenants and tripled its lease income over the last two and a half years.

MAS Real Estate, a commercial property investor, developer and operator listed in both Johannesburg and Luxembourg, announced the acquisition of two shopping malls in Bulgaria, for €62 million. The malls have been acquired from Globe Trade Centre and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Galleria Burgas Mall and the Galleria Stara Zagora Mall and are located in the Bulgarian cities of Burgas and Stara Zagora, respectively.

14 outlet centres operating in Poland eye the increasing competition which will force numerous of them to undergo qualitative changes, enhance their offer and improve operational performance. Along with increasing wealth of Polish consumers, the premium offer will grow in outlet centres, according to new report “Bargain hunting. Potential of outlet centres in Poland” released by Colliers International and IQS.