According to experts from Colliers, the Czech real estate market is facing several challenges this year.

The investments transaction market in Romania totaled around €500 million in 2023, down from a record of more than €1.2 billion in the previous year, in line with lower deal volumes that have been recorded across region and the major international markets, according to a Colliers Romania report.

The supply of modern retail space has reached 3.93 million sqm in the Czech Republic. Retail parks or shopping parks are taking a portion of 31% of this total according to Cushman & Wakefield's analysis of the Czech retail park market data. Traditional shopping centres account for about 67%, and the remaining 2% are outlets.

Cushman & Wakefield has summarized the situation in the Polish retail market in 2023, which saw heightened development activity, with about 450,000 sqm of new retail space delivered. The Polish retail sector continued to recover, as confirmed by the number of debuts – 29 new brands entered Poland in the last 12 months, marking the highest figure since 2017. Meanwhile, the slower price growth bolstered consumer sentiment, leading to higher retail turnover levels.

The Romanian property market remains attractive for investments, with 65% of investors surveyed by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox saying they are looking to expand their presence in the local market.

The Office for the Protection of Economic Competition (ÚOHS) has authorized the Czech real estate fund Trigea from the Partners group to buy the owner of the Prague shopping centre Arkády Pankrác, e15.cz reports.

Local developer Chain Bridge Venture Kft. (CBV) has launched a new development project aiming to build a state-of-the-art multifunctional centre not far from the Puskás Ferenc Stadium and Papp László sports arena. The handover is expected in 2026.

Redan has signed an agreement to sell the Top Secret brand's chain of stationary and e-commerce shops. The buyer is the company Greenpoint, which is also to take over the brand's trademark.

Savills recorded 40 transactions closed in 2023 in the Czech commercial real estate sector with a total investment volume of €1.2 billion. Investment volume in 2023 was down 32% in comparison to 2022. 31% of investment transactions in 2023 were closed in Prague.

A record number of new brands entered the Czech retail market last year. In the past ten years, since Cushman & Wakefield has been closely monitoring this activity, none equalled the 2023 list of 39 new retail brands.