Although the Polish retail market is still struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, forecasts for the sector are more optimistic than for the rest of Europe. According to Oxford Economics, retail sales in Poland are expected to grow by 4.9% per annum until 2023, which would put Poland in a leading position in Europe. 2021 is expected to see approximately 209,000 sqm of GLA solely in retail parks come onto the market, meaning that 2021 would be a record breaking year for retail parks in terms of space delivered to the market. JLL and Trei Real Estate Poland, the authors of the 2nd edition of the "Retail parks and convenience centers in Poland" report, summarize the market regarding these projects at the end of H1 2021, and outline the development prospects for this sector in Poland.

Pruim, a company managed by Griffin Real Estate, has sold six retail properties with a total GLA of over 107,600 sqm to a confidential buyer. The value of the transaction is €87 million.

Etele Plaza is going to open its doors to the public at 10 AM on September 17, 2021. Budapest’s latest shopping and entertainment centre located in the immediate vicinity of Etele square, Kelenföld will offer a range of stores and services. Futureal’s €300 million development is also the first smart shopping centre in Hungary.

EPP delivered a solid performance for the first six months of 2021 in line with expectations. Both EPP’s distributable earnings increased by 54% to €33.2 million, compared to H1 2020. EPP’s net asset value per share increased by 3% to €1.12. A swift operational recovery following lockdowns and the progress made in Poland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme, low infection rates, a resilient economy, and high employment levels all support EPP’s robust performance and bode well for the future.

Retailers and residential developers are driving demand in the land market and the volume of transactions is hampered by uncertainties regarding urban development legislation. 

Shoppers are becoming increasingly conscious and are looking for easily accessible, environmentally friendly shopping centres that also have outdoor green areas, a representative survey called "The role of shopping centres in the 21th century" by Westend and Marketing Resolution found. The survey examined the customer habits of people living in Budapest and its suburbs, including how often they visited their favourite malls, what experiences they were looking for there or what products were in highest demand.

Atrium plans to demolish three old shopping mallls in Warsaw - Atrium Reduta, Atrium Targówek and King Cross – and build apartments in these locations. City authorities comply, but the change of the spatial plans may take years.

According to Savills, the European retail sector is increasingly looking more attractive to opportunistic investors. In the UK, there was a rise in opportunistic interest in the sector in the last quarter, supported by significant yield correction. In Poland, secondary retail assets are being traded at double-digit yields.

Gap, the American casual clothing and accessories brand, announced its entry into the Hungarian market through a franchise partnership with Ganeta Pannónia Kft. The brand will be introduced to customers through Gap-branded stores in the country, beginning with the opening of a Gap freestanding store in Etele Plaza in September 2021.

Marius Persenea, Chief Operating Officer of Romanian real estate developer IULIUS talked to Property Forum about financing, sustainable development and future plans for different market segments.